'Michèle Dix, TfL's managing director of planning... revealed public opposition to road tolls had made TfL think twice about extending the congestion charge zone to the capital's outer boroughs, according to a report in the New Civil Engineer journal.
'A petition calling for national roadpricing plans to be axed attracted 1.8 million signatories. '
'Her admission confirms claims made by experts - including the AA, London First, the Centre for Economics and Business Research and the Institute of Advanced Motorists - that congestion in central London has risen.
It also supports an Evening Standard survey conducted in February and Department for Transport figures released last year revealing that morning rush-hour traffic speeds had fallen to 9.3mph, below the 9.9 mph recorded before the charge was introduced. '