Our Ref:         FOI-0948-2021

Thank you for your request received on 28 August 2020 asking for information about vehicles in the Congestion Charge Zone since the change in operating hours.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you required.

Under its funding package, the Government required TfL to bring forward proposals to widen the scope and level of the Congestion Charge and the Mayor approved the changes. These temporary changes to the Congestion Charge are essential to prevent London’s recovery from the pandemic from being restricted by cars and congestion. Analysis showed that as the Government eased restrictions, and if people chose to drive instead of using public transport, car traffic in central London could double. Before the new arrangements, numbers in the evenings were almost as high as during the day, and levels at weekends were even higher than during the week.

From 22 June the Congestion Charge, which covers around one per cent of Greater London, was temporarily increased to £15, and the hours of operation changed to 07:00-22:00 seven days a week. These temporary changes have been introduced to reduce traffic in central London and enable more journeys to be made safely by foot or by bike while keeping the bus network reliable.

The table below details the average number of vehicles in weekends vs weekdays since the changes to the hours of operation came in:

 Average number of vehicle in the zone per day Average number of PCNs issue % Vehicles with PCN 
Weekdays 145,695 4,160 2.90% 
Weekends 100,607 6,511 6.50% 

In order to ensure motorists were aware that the Congestion Charge had been extended to include weekends we did not issue any PCNs for the first two weekends after the changes were implemented. Instead we issue a warning letter advising of the changes.

If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me.

The impact of current circumstances on TfL’s resources means we are not able to answer FOI requests readily and we ask that you please do not make a request to us at present.
 
Answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. In any event, please note that our response time will be affected by the current situation.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Gemma Jacob
Senior FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

[email protected]