A LEADING transport chief has signed up to London's first car club scheme, the Avis-run CARvenience.

Councillor Nick Dolezal, Southwark's cabinet member for transport and environment and chairman of the Association of London Government's transport group, was the first driver to sign on the dotted line.

CARvenience members pay an annual subscription of £150, then hire vehicles on a pay-on-use basis, with charges starting at £5 for the first hour and £2.50 for each hour thereafter. The scheme will be officially launched by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone on European Car Free Day on September 22.

Southwark will be closely followed by the London Borough of Sutton, which it has a close partnership with.