TfL Ref: FOI-1923-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 24 November 2021.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act)] and our information access policy. Unfortunately we do not hold the information you have requested.
By way of background the Rotherhithe Tunnel was built in 1908 and was not designed to cope with modern levels of traffic. These restrictions help to ensure that road users can continue to use the tunnel safely while we work on plans for the tunnel's future.
Following a review of the Rotherhithe Tunnel ventilation system it was discovered that the capacity of the current system was limited to a passenger car. Most larger cars are in the region of 2 tonnes in weight. The difference between a passenger car and an equivalent size light commercial vehicle is down to the load. The current capability of the Rotherhithe Tunnel ventilation system can safely deal with a passenger car but the light commercial vehicle is beyond its safe working limits. This is why the restriction applies. While the restriction was introduced in September 2018 we did not issue penalties until February 2019.
We acknowledge that having to use a different route may cause inconvenience to some motorists, however, safety is our number one priority and we must ensure that only vehicles which are safe to do so travel through the tunnel.
When issuing penalty charge notices (PCNs), TfL uses vehicle details held by the DVLA. There is no requirement on the DVLA to record the weight of a vehicle and therefore on occasions we do issue PCNs when no data is available. This includes instances when a vehicle model can have a variety of different weights, some which are over two tonnes and some under.
If a motorist receives a PCN and believes their vehicle is outside the scope of the restriction then they can make a representation to us. If they provide evidence of this, i.e. the vehicle weighs less than two tonnes, the penalty will be cancelled and our records updated to ensure that no other penalties are issued.
Which organisation, agency or contractor is responsible for linking the details on V5C forms to the Goods Vehicle Weight Enforcement ANPR cameras?
As outlined above we use vehicle details held by the DVLA however weight data may not always be available.
How many PCNs have been issued to goods vehicles with a gross weight under 2T including Peugeot Bippers, Citroën Nemos, Fiat Fiorinos and Renault Kangoos, since the start of the enforcement in February 2019?
As we do not always know the weight of a vehicle we are unable to say how many PCNs have been issued to vehicles which weigh under two tonnes.
How many of the issued PCNs to vehicles under 2T have been subject to representations and/or appeals?
How many such representations were accepted and appeals allowed?
How many PCNs to vehicles under 2T remain to be reimbursed?
What is the total amount paid for PCNs to vehicles under 2T and how much money remains to be reimbursed?
As we are not always aware of the weight of a vehicle we do not hold the above requested information.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
