The Mayor of Watford says a charge for outsider motorists entering Greater London would have a “knock-on effect” to Watford.

As part of plans being considered to restore the long-term finances of Transport for London (TfL), a daily charge of £3.50 for motorists to enter Greater London is being considered by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London.

As the capital’s mayor investigates the option, there are estimations that about £500m a year could be reinvested into TfL if the charges were implemented.

The charges would also be in addition to the £15 congestion charge and £12.50 ultra-low emission zone which expands on October 25 next year.

But Watford’s Mayor, Peter Taylor, wrote to Mr Khan to express his opposition to the plans that would affect motorists outside London Boroughs.

In the letter, Mr Taylor wrote: “I understand the need to restore the finances of TfL. People from all over the South East travel into London for work, contributing to London’s economy and industry. Adding to the cost of travelling into London would make this less viable and could mean people think twice about working in the capital.”

Mr Taylor added the proposal is “completely focused on making money” and has “no regard” for the environmental impacts or the difficulties to those living near to the border of Greater London.

He claimed that the charges would make visits to London “less straightforward” and it would have a “knock-on effect” to society as a whole.

Referring back to the various transport schemes introduced in Watford, he said: “While I appreciate and fully support plans to make travel more sustainable and provide incentives for using alternative methods to cars, as we have been working hard to achieve here in Watford, the proposals to cut bus, tube and bike-share services undermine this objective completely.

“If you would like fewer people to drive into London then you must find a way to increase services on buses, trains and tubes, rather than cutting them.”