Request ID: FOI-1584-2122 Date published: 16 November 2021
You asked
I would like to know the following;
Total amount charged to drivers since inception of the low emission zone in Central London?
How and on what was this revenue spent on?
What if any climate changes iniatives were helped by raising these funds?
The total amount of money in fines against drivers since the inception of the original low emission zones?
We answered
TfL Ref:1584 -2021
Thank you for your clarified request received by us on 3 November 2021 asking for information about the Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
You asked for:
Total amount charged to drivers since inception of the low emission zone in Central London? How and on what was this revenue spent on? What if any climate changes initiatives were helped by raising these funds? The total amount of money in fines against drivers since the inception of the original low emission zones?
In line with the Mayors’ Air Quality and Transport Strategies, we have implemented a number of schemes discouraging the most polluting vehicles from driving in London. The schemes are just part of a package of measures designed to address London’s air quality crisis. Their primary aim is to encourage compliance and improve the health and quality of life of everyone visiting, working and living in London.
The London Low Emission Zone (LEZ), which covers the whole of Greater London, was introduced in February 2008. The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was launched in April 2019. Until 24 October 2021, the ULEZ operated within the same area of central London as the Congestion Charge. On 25 October 2021, the ULEZ expanded from central London to create a single, larger zone up to, but not including, the North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205). Both the LEZ and ULEZ operate 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day. Details of the types of vehicles subject to LEZ and ULEZ, and how the schemes operate, can be found on our website at www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving. Drivers can check if their vehicle is affected by visiting our checker www.tfl.gov.uk/check-your-vehicle.
We publish details of income and expenditure in our Annual Reports and Statements of Accounts, available on our website at tfl.gov.uk/annual-report. LEZ and ULEZ income and expenditure have been reported separately since 2019/20 and are shown on p145 of the 2020/21 Annual Report and on p124 of the 2019/20 Annual Report. Prior to 2019/20, LEZ income and expenditure was reported as part of ‘Other Income’.
Please find attached this information split between charge and enforcement income for the LEZ as requested. As stated in the Annual Reports, net income from our schemes is spent on delivering the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. Because there is no requirement for us to record the actual spend against this income, it is therefore incorporated into the overall TfL budget and reinvested as set out in our published budgets and business plans, which are available on our website here: tfl.gov.uk/business-plan. The Annual Reports and Business Plans give further details about the work we are doing to deliver air quality improvements across our network.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please feel free 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
Sara Thomas FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
