Under the plans, motorists will be able to drive into central London without charge after 6pm each day. Charges will also be removed on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Since last summer the congestion charge has operated between 7am and 10pm seven days a week. Before 22 June 2020 the charge applied between 7am and 6pm, but only on weekdays. The charge will remain unchanged at £15.

Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, said: “As we look to the future it’s vital the charge strikes the right balance between supporting London’s economic recovery and helping ensure it is a green and sustainable one.”

He added: “These proposals support the capital’s culture, hospitality and night time businesses which have struggled so much.”

A consultation closes on 6 October and, if approved, the changes will take effect from 28 February.

Think tank Centre for London’s chief executive Nick Bowes said: “Trying to tackle congestion and generate income – yet support the revival of central London’s economy – involves a tricky balancing act.” But he described the congestion charge itself as “ageing and clunky technology” that should be replaced with a “smarter and fairer” road user charge.

Logistics UK’s head of policy for the south Natalie Chapman welcomed the proposal to revert the charge’s operational hours back to the original weekday timings in place before Covid. But she added that retaining the higher £15 charge (up from £11.50 last June) “simply amounts to an additional tax for logistics businesses who currently have little alternative but to use lorries and vans”.

(Photograph: Bikeworldtravel - Shutterstock)