CNN —The US embassy in London is refusing to pay more than $18.6 million in charges from unpaid congestion fees, according to Transport for London (TfL), which oversees the city’s vast transport network.
The congestion charge was introduced in 2003 in order to stem traffic and pollution in central London.
However, TfL is insisting that in agreement with the UK government, London’s congestion charge constitutes a service and not tax.
As of December 31, 2023, a total of 161 embassies, high commissions and consulates owed more than $182 million combined in unpaid congestion charge fees, according to TfL data.
According to TfL’s figures, the Japanese embassy owes the second highest amount from unpaid congestion charge fees, at around $12.8 million.
Persons:
”, Dominic Raab
Organizations:
CNN, Transport, London, Drivers, TfL, International Court of Justice, Diplomatic Relations, U.S . Government, CNN “, of, Embassy, Foreign Office
Locations:
London, Vienna, of Japan