Commuters heading into downtown west London Monday were hit with an £8 charge as part of the capital's controversial road program designed to reduce traffic congestion.

Residents and local businesses in Notting Hill, Kensington and Chelsea complain that the expanded toll zone will delay deliveries and deter shoppers. About 230,000 people live in the newly defined zone. 

"Mr. Livingstone's sole agenda, as far as I can see, is to support the policies that will get him re-elected, rational or not."—Roger Lawson, Association of British Drivers

The program has brought harsh criticism for London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who projects it will reduce traffic levels in the western part of the city by 10 to 15 per cent. While the program allows for a 90 per cent discount for residents inside the zone, critics have argued that this markdown will encourage more traffic within the two zones.

"His policies always latch on to what's the latest popular idea," said Roger Lawson, the London spokesman for the Association of British Drivers. "Mr. Livingstone's sole agenda, as far as I can see, is to support the policies that will get him re-elected, rational or not."

The original traffic program, introduced four year ago in February 2003, affected central London's entertainment and shopping districts. Livingstone says that program has caused traffic levels in the zone to drop by 20 per cent.

Job losses projected

The Centre for Economics and Business Research has estimated that the extension will lead to 6,000 job losses and £236 million in lost business annually.

The original traffic program, introduced in February 2003, affected central London's entertainment and shopping districts.

Cameras will take a photo of the licence plate on every car entering the zone and officials will issue fines of up to £100 to people who refuse to pay the charge. Net revenues are expected to be about £25 million to £40 million annually. The revenues will be used to buy more buses and expand roads and cycle paths.

Traffic authorities in Birmingham and Reading are exploring comparable programs.

With files from the Associated Press