Congestion Charge Moves Up A Gear

We've got to hand it to Ken, when he goes for something he really goes for it:

The daily charge for vehicles in carbon emissions band G, which includes some 4x4s, is to rise to £25 from 2009.

Ouch! If you were thinking of buying us a new Jaguar X-type for Christmas... don't bother. But even as Chelsea Tractor lovers were reeling from that blow, Ken steps in with the real body slam:

Mr Livingstone also announced that a 90% residents' discount given to people living within the congestion charging zone will be withdrawn for vehicles in band G.

That's gotta hurt.

"Those who buy them can afford to choose from pretty much the whole of the mainstream car market but have chosen to buy one of the most polluting vehicles. By making these changes to the congestion charging scheme we are encouraging people to take into account the impact of their choice of new car on the environment and the planet."

Soon we'll all be walking the empty streets in hospital greens with just the occasional friendly cabbie to help fight off the infected Top Gear fans.