LRC chairman Alastair McKay said: 'This comes as little surprise to us. The Mayor and Transport for London had made it quite clear from the beginning that the decision to take forward a Western Extension was already made.
'We are very disappointed that the Mayor is wilfully ignoring the voice of those who stand to be negatively affected, particularly large and small retailers. Congestion represents a significant cost to retailers who rely on the road network for access to customers, staff and the delivery of the goods they sell.
'There is a marked difference between the proposed WEZ and the Central Zone, with WEZ being much more heavily dependent on hotels, restaurants and retail than the Central Zone.
'At a time when consumer confidence is weak, compounded by a sustained decrease in visitor numbers following the terrorist atrocities in the capital, we implore the Mayor to rethink, or at the very least delay, the introduction of this scheme, until a full dispassionate public inquiry takes place, with an investigation of alternative schemes that could be potentially more targeted and effective.'
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