A Kent MP has hit out at plans by London transport bosses to retain the increased daily congestion charge for drivers venturing into the capital.

Transport for London (TfL) plans to keep the 30% increase in costs for driving into central London, in a move which could impact Dartford tradesman.

The transport body had said the rise – from £11.50 to £15 a day – was a temporary measure introduced during the pandemic as a conditional part of the government’s bailout package.

But as passenger volumes edge closer to pre-pandemic levels it now wants to keep the price while cutting back the hours the levy operates for.

Under new proposals TfL says its would reduce the hours of operation to 7am - 6pm weekdays, and between 12pm and 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

This four hour reduction on the current 10pm finish time over the weekend would provide a welcome boost to the city's hospitality businesses and the night-time economy, it adds.

But Dartford MP Gareth Johnson criticised the continuation of the charge which many of his constituents are liable to pay when crossing the Kent border for work.

“I have never been a fan of the London congestion charge in any form," he said.

"In my experience, motorists don’t drive out of choice into Central London but out of necessity."

The Tory MP added: "A plumber or electrician living in Dartford, cannot easily move their tools in and out of London on public transport, so they have to drive and be hit by the current charge.

"A reduction in the operating hours of the charge is to be welcomed but what is needed is for TfL to sort out its finances so it is less reliant on taxpayer handouts and attacks on the motorist.”

It comes as Mr Johnson continues to tussle with the Mayor's Office over additional plans to extend its charging regime and introduce a separate Greater London Boundary Charge.

If approved it could mean drivers from Dartford would face a £3.50 charge every time they venture into Bexley or the greater London area.

The move was labelled "catastrophic" and "mad" by the town's MP who tabled a petition in Parliament last month on behalf of retirement park residents who live on the border and fear being stung by the fee.

A petition against the plans, No to Labour’s Dartford Car Tax, was set up in February by Dartford's Conservatives and has amassed more than 25,000 signatures to date.

But the Mayor's Office insists the charge is needed.

In a previous statement it said if the government does not agree, other ways of raising money to overcome the unprecedented financial challenges TfL faces may be needed.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sadiq Khan says plans for the existing £15 central London daily congestion charge "strike the right balance".

He said: "These proposals support the capital’s culture, hospitality and night-time businesses which have struggled so much, as well as encouraging people to walk, cycle and use public transport.

"We must not replace one public health crisis with another due to filthy polluted air, and our measures to create more space for walking and cycling have already had a huge impact."

If the proposals are taken forward following the consultation, the changes to hours will take place on February 28 2022.

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