CONGESTION charging will be introduced by the end of 2002, London Mayor Ken Livingstone announced in his inaugural speech. With self-government being restored to London after 14 years, Livingstone outlined the way ahead for 'London in the New and highlighted transport as the 'single biggest issue confronting both the efficiency of London's economy and the quality of life of its inhabitants'.

Although he fell short of specifying charging levels for entering central London, speculation has focused on a £5-a-day charge.

He said: 'Instead of the efficient transport system we require we have gridlock on the roads, gross overcrowding on the Tube and trains and slow, unreliable buses.'

'Only one strategy can deal with this - investing to dramatically improve the quality of public and social transport to make it a faster, safer, cheaper, more reliable and comfortable alternative to cars and thereby reduce the scale of congestion in central London.'