THURROCK residents who need to drive into central London – or do so to avoid using public transport because of coronavirus – will find the congestion charge is being reinstated from Monday (18 May) – and will be going up next month.

Hours that the charge applies have also been extended, to between 7am and 10pm, seven days a week.

The congestion charge for people driving into central London will be reintroduced on Monday under the terms of a £1.6 billion government bailout.

It follows a deal in which Transport for London (TfL) secured emergency funding from the government to keep Tube and bus services going until September. From 22 June, the congestion charge will also rise from £11.50 to £15.

A spokesperson for Downing Street roads in central London "would come to a halt without the return of the charge" and it was an "important tool to ensure that emissions in London remain low and support better air quality".

A system of reimbursement for NHS workers in place before the charge was suspended on 23 March will also be extended to care home workers.

The low emission zone and ultra low emission zone - imposing levies on high-polluting vehicles - also comes back into operation on Monday.

Also under the conditions of the government deal, children will no longer have free travel across London and restrictions on travel passes for people with a disability or over the age of 60 will also be imposed during peak hours.

Fares on buses - scrapped to help protect drivers from Covid-19 - will also be reintroduced.