A distraught nurse who works at the hospital where Boris Johnson was treated for Covid-19 says an increase in the congestion charge is "another stab in the back".

Vicki Lines, from Tankerton, says the hike announced today will cost her an extra £195 a month.

Fighting back tears, the St Thomas' Hospital nurse told KentOnline she is furious about the changes.

"I am so angry - usually I stay silent out of fear of retribution," the 49-year-old said.

"My friend shared on Facebook about the congestion charge.

"I read it and was like ‘it’s going up that much?’ This is just another stab in the back.

"As a nurse in St Thomas’, I am going to be paying £195 a month extra to get to work."

Mrs Lines has worked at the London hospital since 2004 and has commuted from Tankerton for four years.

From June 22, the congestion charge for people driving into central London will rise from £11.50 to £15.

The hours in which people will have to pay have also been extended from 7am to 6pm to between 7am and 10pm, seven days a week, instead of just weekdays.

It comes after a huge £1.6 billion government bailout of Transport for London was announced in a desperate bid to keep tube and bus services running.

The congestion charge was waived during lockdown when most people were working from home or travelling for essential reasons - but it is due to be reintroduced on Monday.

"The nurses in London have taken the brunt of Covid-19, now I have to pay for it," she added. "This is getting beyond stupid - it is just too much.

"I have always paid the congestion charge, which I don’t agree with.

"The only way I can get out of it is to work local - but I don’t want to work local because I love where I work."

NHS staff are only entitled to a congestion charge refund if they use their vehicle for official business.

But Mrs Lines does not qualify for this reimbursement.

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