Average speed in London is less than 10 miles per hour

People who live and work in Kennington will have to cross the boundary several times a week.

With average traffic speed so low, The Mayor for London Ken Livingstone hopes the charge will cut traffic by 15 per cent, and that the charge will raise �130 million a year which will be used to improve public transport.

From the 17th of February, motorists will be required to pay a �5 charge when entering the zone. Cameras will record all the registration numbers of vehicles entering the charging zone which will be in force from 7am to 6.30pm.

The boundary follows the route of the inner city ring road - there will be no charge to drive on this. There will also be exemptions for certain vehicles including Licensed taxis and alternative energy cars and vans.

Motorists will have to pay the charge before midnight on the day the journey is made, but there will also be the option to pay in advance and buy annual and monthly 'season' tickets.

Campaign group Transport for London is in favour of the scheme it says there may be some teething problems and it will take some months before its success can be measured.

The benefits will mean cleaner streets for cyclists and pedestrians and improved public transport, but what happens in London could well set an example for other cities in the United Kingdom to follow.

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