by political editor Paul Francispfrancis@thekmgroup.co.uk

A congestion charge for Kent’s major towns should be considered to curb growing pollution levels and poor air quality, a senior county councillor claimed today.

Cllr Martin Vye (Lib Dem) said Kent County Council should consider the option as existing measures to reduce car use appeared not to be having any significant impact.

Cllr Vye, who is also a Canterbury city councillor, acknowledged the idea of a congestion charge was unlikely to prove popular at a time when motorists were facing crippling rises in the costs of driving.

But he said there was evidence that the efforts to persuade people to use public transport were flatlining and said Kent could follow in the footsteps of London, which introduced a congestion charge in 2003.

“A lot of very good measures have been put in place such as park and ride schemes and bus lanes. However, the air quality is worsening.

“I am not saying I am arguing in favour of a charge but I do believe that across Kent – not just Canterbury – KCC as a strategic authority ought to think very carefully about it. It should not be ruled out.”

“At the end of the day, if we cannot do it [reduce pollution] by other means, KCC has a duty to consider other ways of making sure that vehicles do not flood the town centres.”

Mr Vye, who set out his thoughts during a full county council meeting at County Hall (April 6), said he was not advocating a charge himself but said there should be a debate in the face of the figures that pointed to a deterioration in air quality in urban areas.

Previous efforts by government to persuade councils to introduce congestion charges have been largely unsuccessful.

In 2008, Manchester City Council proposed a charge for peak time use of key roads into the city but it was rejected by residents in a referendum.

Warning: Elections for Canterbury City Council take place on May 5.