Number of TfL letters sent to registered keepers of ULEZ non-compliant vehicles resident outside all London Boroughs regarding support available to them
Request ID: FOI-1688-2324 Date published: 24 August 2023
You asked
In July 2023 under the banner of ‘MAYOR OF LONDON’, TfL sent a letter to a resident in the DN10 postal code area. Inter alia, this letter stated:
‘The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is expanding from 29 August 2023 across all London boroughs to help clear London’s air.
Although 9 out of 10 cars seen driving in outer London already meet the ULEZ emissions standards, based on monthly average compliance levels, our records show your vehicle may not. The Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) are aware this may be a cause of concern to you and are therefore writing to let you know what support may be available to you’.
I request you inform me of the total number of copies of this letter, which have been sent to those UK registered keepers of non-compliant vehicles who are resident outside the collective of all London Boroughs. In particular, I would also ask you provide the number of these letters sent to residents within the County of Gloucestershire.
I can provide more details of this letter if you so wish.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1688-2324
Thank you for your request received on 22 August 2023 asking for information about the recently issued Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) letter.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require.
TfL have issued 1,040,280 letters via the DVLA to the registered keepers of non-compliant vehicles identified driving within the forthcoming expansion area. No further letters of this nature are due to be sent via the DVLA ahead of the expansion of the ULEZ across all London boroughs.
The DVLA is a national database which is not owned by TfL. TfL has access to the data for the purpose of vehicle checking to understand whether a vehicle meets the ULEZ standards. For this purpose, TfL does not access any fields that identify addresses so we are unable to advise how many of those vehicles are registered to an outer London address, or specifically to the County of Gloucestershire as requested.
The letter provides information on the vehicle’s compliance status, the options available to vehicle owners including the scrappage scheme, grace periods and how the scheme operates including how to pay. The letters form part of a large-scale multi-channel information campaign to raise awareness and to encourage vehicle checking with messaging running on TV, video on demand, radio, local and pan-London press, national specialist press e.g. What Van and What Car, and national press, digital display, messaging on Waze, a wayfinding app, social, roadside posters and petrol pump nozzle advertising. Emails are also being sent to customers registered to TfL’s database and leaflets are being distributed via a door drop and face to face leafleting in high footfall locations such as high streets, in the outer boroughs. 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.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
