High profile estate agent leads war against ‘unfair’ tax
Maxine Fothergill says £4 charge to cross Thames proposed by Sadiq Khan will hurt businesses like hers, whose staff regularly use the Blackwall Tunnel to get their job done.
A leading estate agent is supporting a fight-back against Sadiq Khan’s plan to charge vehicle users to use the the Blackwall Tunnel, saying it will mean huge costs for firms like hers who operate on both sides of the river, as well as for families already hit hard by higher living costs.
Maxine Fothergill (pictured, second from right), who runs Amax Estates in Gravesend, Kent says there is widespread discontent locally over the decision by Khan, particularly given the tunnel has been free since it was opened 127 years ago.
The Mayor is proposing to charge vehicle owners £4 to use the tunnel each way which for regular users like her team, is likely to rack up additional annual costs of some £2,000.
Forthergill says this is unfair on commuters, families and small businesses like hers that have to cross the river regularly to see clients, pointing out that these groups are already grappling with the high cost of living and doing business in London.
“This is not just a minor adjustment, but a serious escalation in the war against motorists in London,” said Fothergill, who stood as a Reform UK candidate during the General Election.
She says the campaign against the ‘tunnel tax’ is gaining momentum helped by a petition gaining signatures calling for the charge proposal to be scrapped.
“We invite all Londoners to join us in this fight by signing our petition to make your voice heard,” she says.
“Additionally, we encourage you to take part in the Mayor’s own consultation, which is open until the 3rd of September and only takes a few minutes to complete.
“It really is important to get your voice heard in order to stop these ridiculous and unfair charges being imposed on our hard-working citizens,” adds Fothergill.
Khan and bosses at TfL, which are backing the charges, have justified the new fees by saying they will reduce traffic, adding that: “Local residents and business owners currently face chronic congestion and pollution in the area around the Blackwall Tunnel.”
