London businesses are still backing congestion charging, according to a survey by the business group London First.According to the study, just two per cent of companies say that they would consider relocating to a site outside the zone as a result of congestion charging.

Forum Response: Construction Products Association

Jean Emblin, director of external affairs at the Construction Products Association, told ePolitix.com: "I was concerned to read the London First statement that '[support for] congestion charging among the business community remains firm'.

"In a survey recently undertaken by the Construction Products Association and the Construction Confederation amongst contractors and manufacturers and suppliers of construction products, an overwhelming 85 per cent of respondents believe that commercial delivery vehicles servicing London's congestion charging zone (CCZ) should be exempt from the charge.

"The charge is having an immediate impact on our industry with 80 per cent of product manufacturers and suppliers saying that the charge has affected the cost of supplying products within the CCZ, a fact also noted by 83 per cent of contractors receiving such products.

"Almost 50 per cent of contractors and suppliers pass the increased cost on to their clients.

"Nearly three-quarters of respondents to our survey said that the charge had not led to a rationalisation of deliveries, and almost 60 per cent could see no improvement in the ease of deliveries since the congestion charge had been introduced."In answer to the possible extension of the scheme in London and the calls for the scheme to be adopted in other parts of the country, our survey showed that just 10 per cent of respondents believed that the charge should be extended to cover a wider geographical area, whilst 75 per cent did not believe that congestion charging should be extended to cities in other parts of the country."

Forum Response: Federation of Small Businesses

Richard Morse, London policy chairman at the FSB, said: "London First have interpreted their survey figures as showing that the scheme has been good for businesses. In reality, the figures say nothing of the sort.

"Only 13 per cent of London's businesses say it has had a positive effect on the bottom line and fewer than one in five businesses think it has benefited London's economy.

"In no sense can that be called a ringing endorsement of congestion charging.

"Furthermore,It is very clear that many businesses both inside and outside the charging zone have been badly hit by the scheme - with increased overheads and fewer customers."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

A spokesman for the IoD told ePolitix.com: "Although we remain in favour of the congestion charge in principle we remain deeply concerned about the lags between introduction of the charge and delivery of better public transport in London.

"Although the number of buses has increased, commuters from the suburbs and beyond need better underground and train services. There seem no immediate prospect of these being delivered."