CHARGING for road use and workplace parking look almost certain to be given their first green light in the UK after the Greater London Authority Bill completed one of its final stages in Parliament despite a bid by Conservative MPs to kill it off. The Bill creates a new post of Mayor for London and includes powers for the mayor to approve workplace parking and congestion charges.

An attack was launched in the Commons by Conservative MPs who say the proposals will do nothing to ease congestion and are simply be a 'stealth tax' on motorists. Nick Raynsford, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment and Transport, replied: 'They are not being imposed by the Government. The mayor and London boroughs will have the power to introduce such charges if they choose to do so.

The Lords will now debate the Bill and, if approved, its recommendations and any amendments will be returned to the Commons for approval before the final Bill is submitted for Royal Assent.