Town Mouse on 4x4s

The new congestion charge rules in London single out 4x4s for a hefty extra toll but it’s thrown up confusion about what actually constitutes a Chelsea Tractor

Town mouse; country life
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(Image credit: Country Life)

The Newt has done it again Ken Livingstone and Transport for London have announced a new increased congestion charge for the so-called Chelsea Tractors. High-up drivers in their 4x4s will have to pay £25 for the privilege of driving into central London. But, of course, it's not quite as simple as that. Beyond the M25, a tough car is a necessity. And even country mice need to come to town occasionally. If you have children (and all the equipment they entail), or need to carry guns that are being taken in for servicing, taking the train instead isn't an option (not to mention the fact that it's more expensive).

Furthermore, it turns out that it's not that easy to determine just what is a 4x4 and what isn't: a Volkswagen Passat, not yet a target for the activists, will have to pay the hefty charge. But a Suzuki Vitara, registered before 2001, will not. Why not just do away with car ownership in town altogether? Those who drive about regularly could get an electric G-Wiz, and if you fancy a speeding ticket, join a car club and hire a fancy four-wheeler for the day.

Country Life

Country Life is unlike any other magazine: the only glossy weekly on the newsstand and the only magazine that has been guest-edited by HRH The King not once, but twice. It is a celebration of modern rural life and all its diverse joys and pleasures — that was first published in Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee year. Our eclectic mixture of witty and informative content — from the most up-to-date property news and commentary and a coveted glimpse inside some of the UK's best houses and gardens, to gardening, the arts and interior design, written by experts in their field — still cannot be found in print or online, anywhere else.