TfL Ref: FOI-0619-2324
Thank you for your request of 3rd June 2023 asking for information about the ULEZ expansion.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Note that, as advised previously, only requests for recorded information fall under the scope of the Freedom of Information Act. Your comments about “Parklet Southgate” do not constitute a request for recorded information.
In terms of your requests for information, I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below:
Question 1) Which companies have been awarded the contracts for (a) putting up signs for the 2023 ULEZ expansion, and (b) media advertising for the ULEZ expansion?
Answer: For part (a), in relation to signage, this work is delivered through the existing Highways Maintenance and Project Framework by Ringway Infrastructure Services Ltd and Tarmac Kier Joint Venture (TKJV). This contract was awarded in 2020. In relation to part (b) on advertising, TfL works with suppliers that are competitively tendered as part of a statutory process every few years to ensure best value. Following a highly competitive procurement process in 2022, Wavemaker were appointed to carry out the media planning and buying activity for all TfL’s advertising.
Question 2) whether the above contract awards involved a competitive tender process?
Answer: Yes.
Question 3) The cost of putting up signs and the cost of advertising?
Answer: For part (a), the current estimated total cost to supply and install signage and associated supporting infrastructure is in the range of £20-25m. For part (b), during the period 12 December 2022 to 3 June 2023 TfL spent £2,346,742.60 on advertising as part of a multi-channel campaign targeting Londoners and Home Counties drivers to raise awareness and to explain why the zone is being expanded and the benefits, who is affected, where the expanded zone will operate and how the scheme operates including hours of operations, daily charge and how to pay. The campaign aims to encourage vehicle checking to help drivers prepare ahead of when the scheme expands with advertising continuing up to and beyond 29 August 2023 when the Ultra Low Emission Zone expands.
Activity is running across TV (ITV and Channel 4), video on demand (ITVX, All4, Sky), radio, local and pan-London press, national specialist press e.g. What Van and What Car, and national press, a radio and local newspaper content partnership, digital display, messaging on Waze, a wayfinding app, social, online video, posters and petrol pump nozzle advertising. In addition to the advertising, emails are being sent to customers registered on TfL’s database, leaflets detailing the expansion are being distributed in the outer London expansion area as well as being distributed face to face in high footfall areas such as shopping centres, high streets and letters are being sent via the DVLA to owners of non compliant vehicles seen in the zone as well as letters using third party open data of contactable people living in outer London.
The media activity will enable TfL to reach over 3.3m vehicle owners in London 6 or more times as well as 6.5m vehicle owners in the Home Counties 6 or more times so those who drive in London are aware of the upcoming expansion including boundary and how the scheme operates
If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
