“Think again”: Stringfellow

LEADING London businessman, potential candidate for Mayor of London and Majorca resident Peter Stringfellow yesterday strongly warned Palma city council against introducing a congestion charge on traffic. “I've seen how the congestion charge in London has hit business, in particular the small shopkeepers, the small cafe and restaurant owners as well as those who struggle to make ends meet every month - not to mention the theatres and the clubs. “We Londoners absolutely hate the charge and ever since it was started, it has continued to rise, soon 4x4 drivers will be hit by a £25 charge and despite the fact it is not charged at night, it's made no difference. People used to come to town, do some shopping and then go to a restaurant before going to a show, now they're just missing out the whole thing. “It will kill the centre of Palma and tourists will not pay. They'll just forget going into the centre of Palma while residents will go to Palma less. All it will do is further fuel out-of-town shopping. “Affluent residents like myself may pay it, but if we have to go through a process of registering our vehicles etc, being bloody-minded, we will not bother. Only when it's necessary. “It will hit everyone from the coffee shops, to the bargain stores and the main high street as well as the department store which many of us foreign residents like because there is easy parking. “It may ease traffic, but that's about it. It will just penalise the Majorcans and Palma city centre. “And, as we are seeing in London, once it is introduced it will become a tax trap and continue to increase, leading to public transport and taxi fares going up. “Such has demand for cabs risen in London on the back of the charge, they too have put their fares up. “It's a vicious circle which will only hit people and business where it hurts and force people to stay out of Palma. “The congestion charge has not worked in London and it is certainly not the solution to traffic problems. It's just another headache for the driving population and business, never mind visitors. It's a very high price to pay to ease traffic.”