Vauxhall Bridge closure and subsequent PCN's raised and appealed
Request ID: FOI-1174-2122 Date published: 20 September 2021
You asked
My appeal against TFL was partly successful, but I now need further information, namely:
"From 10th August 2020 till 31st October 2020, Vauxhall Bridge was closed and diversions were in operation sending motorists in to the CGZ. So:
1. How many motorists were penalised for driving on Kennington Road during this period when Vauxhall Bridge was closed?
2. How many motorists appealed these PCNs for driving on the Kennington Road?
3. How many of these appeals were successful?"
We answered
Our ref: FOI-1174-2122/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 31 August 2021 asking for information about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
"From 10th August 2020 till 31st October 2020, Vauxhall Bridge was closed and diversions were in operation sending motorists in to the CGZ. So:
1. How many motorists were penalised for driving on Kennington Road during this period when Vauxhall Bridge was closed?
By way of background, when a ‘planned’ diversion is put in place and vehicles are diverted into the Congestion Charging and Ultra Low Emission Zone we take steps to ensure that no penalties are issued. This includes switching off the Congestion Charging cameras on the diversion route
For the cameras along Kennington Road, 10,146 PCNs were issued during this timeframe for non-payment of the Congestion and Ultra Low Emissions Zone daily charge.
Please note that PCNs are issued simply where no valid charge payment is recorded against the vehicle for that date. We have no way of determining if the PCN was issued due to the driver entering the zone as a result of the bridge closure.
2. How many motorists appealed these PCNs for driving on the Kennington Road? 3. How many of these appeals were successful?"
In order to challenge a penalty the recipient must first submit a representation to us. If the representation is accepted the penalty is cancelled. If we reject the representation the penalty remains outstanding although there is a further right of appeal to an Independent Adjudicator at London Tribunals.
Of the 10,146 PCNs issued, we received 1,628 representations. Of these 542 were rejected, 939 were accepted and 147 are awaiting a decision. Of the 542 rejected representations we received 7 appeals, of which 2 were allowed, 4 were not contested and 1 remains open.
If this is not the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
