• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

I think that is the problem. If we are not careful with this - if you are not careful with this; we will keep some distance until we are sure that you have been careful - Londoners will resent it as a tax for which they see little benefit, unless you can join those bits up and produce real improvements in transport, so that I can leave my car at home, get on a bus, it will quickly reach its destination, and it will be heaven. Unless that happens, people are going to say, "Ken is just making money out...

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

Labour Members have no problem with the principle of a congestion charge, but the devil is in the detail. We think that there is a great risk that Londoners will resent and resist this proposal, and it will prove to be unworkable, unless those details are worked through. We are seeking from you a commitment to openness, which you have given, to transparency with the boroughs, which you have given, and to spending the money you have offered the boroughs - and presumably more, if necessary - to deal with those problems. But does that mean that you will be...

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

Did you get a sense that you were talking about not just the infrastructure and the national stadiums, but the importance of the legacy, especially for children and young people in that area? Are you aware of the importance of this proposal for an enormous number of young people in that area?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

So can we take it that, should Sport England give the go-ahead for Pickett's Lock at its meeting in a few weeks' time, you will find time - we know you are a very busy man - to ensure that the planning application for the project is handled promptly and efficiently, so that there is no delay?

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

Thank you, Mayor, that was very clarifying. But Dick Caborn, whoever he is, is holding things up because is worried that, after the World Athletic Championships, the venue of Pickett's Lock will not release enough income. Transport links are very poor. Where are we here? It will happen in 2005, and time is short: we have not won the Olympics, but we have won this bid. So where are we?

• Question by: Louise Bloom
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

I am getting in now, on the assumption that we will probably not reach my question. [Interruption.] As you said, the question is whether it is Pickett's Lock or Wembley. At the moment, I think we have to concentrate on getting Pickett's Lock, and if the whole thing was screwed up, or failed, it would be an enormous embarrassment to London, particularly as the event is going to take place two weeks before the decision is taken on the 2012 Olympics, for which we hope London will be a prime contender. Are you going to extract actual promises of pounds...

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

So would you say that the 5% reduction is a reasonable target and will be in your plan?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

Are you saying, Ken, that the congestion charge moneys cannot be spent, or are you not willing to look at that? It is not just a matter of the vehicle: we are talking about the roadside as well. Surely such schemes are part of your remit for spending the money, and they would give some of us who will be paying this charge hope of some benefit beyond you being able to stand on a pile of money.

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

We largely support zero tolerance, but that is a different matter. We all know that the only point at which you are really going to make a significant difference to shifting people around London is when you get the improvements on the Underground. This bus business is tinkering at the margins; we know that it is the Tube that will make the difference. We also know that those differences are not likely to happen for three or four years at best. You quoted Mr Kiley at your press launch last week as saying that the public will notice tangible improvements...

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

Thank you. The Kensington and Chelsea poll showed that only 17% supported the idea without the improvements in public transport ahead of the introduction of the congestion charge.