Car charge battle starts today

The controversial plan to impose a traffic congestion charge was being challenged in the High Court today by Westminster council and angry residents.

They will argue that the £5-a-day scheme to be introduced in February is in breach of motorists' human rights.

They claim people living just outside the charging zone will see their streets turned into polluted rat-runs, as motorists search for routes exempt from the fee. The objectors will argue that they will be cut off from essential services including doctorssurgeries, schools and shops and that there was inadequate consultation.

Westminster council will ask for a judicial review to stop the daily fee being imposed.

The council wants a public inquiry into its effects and a more detailed analysis of its likely environmental impact.

Under the scheme motorists will be charged for driving into central London between 7am and 6.30pm from Monday to Friday. Anyone who is caught not paying will be fined up to £120.

Transport for London, Mayor Ken Livingstone ' s transport authority, has been accused of ignoring their own study which identified potential significant adverse impacts on air quality in the capital.

Kit Malthouse, Westminster council's deputy leader, said: "We need a proper debate on the merits and practicalities of the scheme. Above all, we need to have a proper public transport infrastructure before a congestion charging scheme can be introduced."