Congestion drivers 'to use Tube'

The Tube is already overcrowded at rush hour

Overcrowding on the London Underground could worsen once congestion charging is introduced, a report has warned.

A survey for the London Assembly suggests more drivers than expected will give up their cars after the £5-a-day charge is introduced on Monday.

But most plan to use the Tube, rather than the newly-expanded bus service.

The NOP poll found 4,060 commuters planned to go by bus, less than the 14,000 London mayor Ken Livingstone had hoped to persuade.

The scheme will... mean harder times for those who use the already-overcrowded public transport system

John Briggs, London Assembly

The survey found 10,500 drivers were likely to use the Tube instead, despite the disruption caused by the indefinite suspension of the Central Line and Waterloo and City Line.

Assembly transport chairman John Briggs warned that the scheme would frustrate, inconvenience and alienate a large number of commuters.

Hard core

He said: "The scheme will be good news for motorists, but mean harder times for those who use the already-overcrowded public transport system."

The survey found 9,000 more drivers than expected were likely to give up driving into central London on 17 February.

But 74% of motorists would continue to take their cars, blaming expensive or inadequate public transport, according to the poll.

The scheme aims to cut congestion by between 10% and 15% in central London.

Ken might even end up scrapping it before we get in

Tory mayoral candidate Roger Evans

Meanwhile, the two men in the running to become the Conservative candidate to fight Mr Livingstone in the 2004 London mayoral elections, have said they would scrap the charge if they came into power.

Former Transport Minister Steve Norris, who took second place behind Mr Livingstone in the 2000 mayoral election, and London Assembly Member Roger Evans said scrapping the £5 levy would be a priority.

Mr Norris, who is the favourite to win the nomination, said: "The congestion charge has cost London over £200m and it is going to be such a disaster, hopelessly administered and displacing congestion."

Mr Evans said: "I cannot see how it will work. Ken might even end up scrapping it before we get in."