Request ID: FOI-2180-2122 Date published: 20 January 2022
You asked
“Information I recently received a penalty charge for ultra-low emission zone ref YJ20376349.. I have paid the charge to avoid your escalation of penalty charges but need the Freedom of information questions answered: It seems that this occurred when I left my normal route (A406 – A13- Jenkins Lane ) to get fuel. At Sainsburys Claps Gate Lane. Can you please confirm: Exactly where the boundary is for the imposition of this penalty What notices are displayed to warn of entry to the penalty zone If I can get to my intended destination (Jenkins Lane) by car in the future without incurring the penalty How many cars have been caught by this trap ( presumably on Claps Gate Lane ) What happens to the money that is accumulated from the penalties Please also provide a map of the zone so that I can avoid it in the future The location of this trap on a route into a fuelling facility appears to be unreasonable. Is there an appeals process?”
We answered
Our ref: FOI-2180-2122/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 23 December 2021 asking for information about the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). 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 some of the information you require.
“Information I recently received a penalty charge for ultra-low emission zone ref YJ20376349.. I have paid the charge to avoid your escalation of penalty charges but need the Freedom of information questions answered: It seems that this occurred when I left my normal route (A406 – A13- Jenkins Lane ) to get fuel. At Sainsburys Claps Gate Lane. Can you please confirm: Exactly where the boundary is for the imposition of this penalty The boundary of the ULEZ is displayed and illustrated on our website at Ultra Low Emission Zone - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk). You can enter a road name or location to see specifically where the boundary starts What notices are displayed to warn of entry to the penalty zone Signage was installed and in use in advance of the ULEZ extension being implemented. Early warning signage was installed at entrances to the zone between July and September 2021, explaining the ULEZ expansion was coming on 25 October 2021. This was replaced at go-live by permanent road signs at every entry point along the boundary and along key arterial approaches. More than 400 repeater signs were also installed inside the zone close to every boundary point and on main roads throughout the zone. I enclose a map to show the signage near the location you received your Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
If I can get to my intended destination (Jenkins Lane) by car in the future without incurring the penalty We can not provide advice on specific journeys however the map on our website, link above, should be useful in allowing you to plan any journey you undertake. How many cars have been caught by this trap ( presumably on Claps Gate Lane ). When a vehicle is used within the ULEZ it is usually captured by a number of our cameras. We only retain the clearest image of the vehicle and use that for enforcement purposes. Therefore the location of the photograph on the PCN does not provide any indication of the wider journey taken by the motorist who incurred the penalty. Following the launch of the ULEZ, between 25 October and 22 November we issued warning notices rather than PCNs. From 23 November to 31 December we have issued 1120 PCNs using images captured by this camera. What happens to the money that is accumulated from the penalties All income received from the ULEZ is reinvested back into TfL’s transport network. Please also provide a map of the zone so that I can avoid it in the future the location of this trap on a route into a fuelling facility appears to be unreasonable. Is there an appeals process?” A link to the map is above. The regulations governing the penalties we issue do have a representations and appeals procedure. Full details of how to challenge a penalty are included with the PCN. In addition more information regarding the process is available on our website at https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/challenge-a-penalty-charge-notice
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the enclosed 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
