Congestion Charge extension, which would have ‘split Jewish community’, shelved

Plans to extend the Congestion Charge, which would have “split North London’s Jewish community in Hendon and Golders Green”, have been shelved.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan made the announcement on Sunday following an eleventh-hour deal reached with the government.

This comes after concerns from across the community, over plans to extend a £15 charge to North and South Circular roads, in a bid to secure more funding for Transport for London (TFL).

It led to fears that synagogues such as Alyth in Golders Green could face a reduction in attendance, while north-west London Jewish communities which straddle the North Circular would be adversely affected.

The charge would have separated Hendon to the north from Golders Green to the south, imposing a £15 payment on travelling between them.

The Labour mayor, who is fighting for re-election next year, initially said it “would in essence split North London’s Jewish community in Hendon and Golders Green”.

Following the announcement, which also includes a six-month deal of £1.8bn in a Government grant to support TfL during the second lockdown, Khan said: “These negotiations with Government have been an appalling and totally unnecessary distraction”, as the capital battles Covid-19.

He said plans to extend the charge “would have hammered Londoners”, but he is “pleased” it has now been dropped.

A Board of Deputies spokesperson said: “We welcome this resolution. The proposals would have divided significant parts of the North London Jewish community in two, with negative impacts on equalities, adding greater expense to the costs of living Jewish life.”