Australia has been put on notice to clear charges it owes to London, as the city tries to recoup millions in unpaid congestion fees. Transport for London , the city's transport authority, has released data showing diplomats from foreign embassies have racked up over £143 million in overdue fees. Diplomats from the United States owe the largest amount, with an outstanding bill of $28 million in charges, amassed over two decades.
The scheme was introduced in 2003 to reduce the amount of drivers in the zone, lessen congestion and encourage people to travel sustainably by using the public transport network. On the 20th anniversary of the congestion charge, TfL credited the fee with reducing congestion by 30 per cent and boosting bus travel in London by 33 per cent. TfL said the majority of embassies did pay the charge but a "stubborn minority" refused to do so.