The western extension of the Congestion Charge should operate for only four hours each morning say business leaders.

Cars could be charged from 7am to 11am in an effort to prevent businesses losing customers throughout the day, according to London First, which represents 250 major companies.

It is also calling for the charge to be divided in two, so drivers will pay £8 to enter either zone but half the price again - £12 - to travel into Chelsea, Kensington and parts of Westminster.

Drivers from outside the zone would pay £8 to enter the western extension zone only.

The comments are in line with City Hall's apparent softening on the extended C-Charge zone.

Boris Johnson initially suggested he would scrap the charge, but after talks with Transport for London, has come up with a range of partial measures to curb its impact, outlined in the consultation.

He has repeatedly pledged to stick by the outcome of the consultation, although the anti-extension lobby fears a watered-down version will prevail, due to a low response level.

Gordon Taylor, chair of West London Residents' Association, which is leading the 'scrap it' campaign, says half-measures will neither cut congestion nor raise enough money to pay for the administration of the C-Charge.

"London First's idea is not practical in that the western extension is only just breaking even, so to cut the number of hours the charge is in operation will mean the scheme runs at a loss."