Congestion Charge Extension Campaign Update

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Many churches and faith communities fear that the increased Congestion Charge will have an adverse affect on their congregations.

CTiW chairman, Revd Jonathan Evens, has asked us to circulate the following article from the BBC regarding the Congestion Charge extension campaign https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-53136450

 

Update 22 November 2020

As part of the work that Churches Together in Westminster have been doing to raise awareness of the impact of the congestion charge extension on London’s churches, we met last week with Heidi Alexander, Deputy Mayor for Transport & Deputy Chair, Transport for London.

In this meeting we were given information about Tfl’s congestion charge charity reimbursement scheme, details of which can be found at https://www.london.gov.uk/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-faqs/are-there-any-reimbursements-available-congestion-charge. The link takes you to a GLA webpage that contains the eligibility document, registration form and FAQs for the charity reimbursement scheme.

The scheme is open to Charity staff including seconded or contracted staff members as well as Trustees and Charity volunteers. Eligible journeys include among others: delivery or collection journeys to directly support vital coronavirus response work within the CCZ of the following eligible items: a) food deliveries b) medicine or medical equipment deliveries, c) deliveries of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) d) cleaning / hygiene supplies and also services at accommodation for rough sleepers who are at a high or moderate risk from coronavirus, including the driving of such vulnerable people to the accommodation. Claims may only be made for journeys which are reliant on a chargeable Congestion Charge vehicle and cannot reasonably be undertaken by any other mode

You may already be aware of this scheme but, if not, I hope it’s helpful to have this information. If an application seems appropriate, support is available from Matt Doherty who manages the application process. He can be reached by phone at 07593 130 399 or by email at CharityCongestionRefunds@london.gov.uk.

Following our conversation they are considering whether the criteria for the scheme could be broadened to include people volunteering for other forms of social action.

 

Revd Jonathan Evens

Associate Vicar, HeartEdge

St Martin-in-the-Fields

Tel: 07803 562329