Request ID: FOI-2403-2122 Date published: 10 February 2022
You asked
I would also like to make a freedom of information request for the following details: 1. How many individual PCN have been levied on Saturdays and Sundays since this change happened. Please can this be broken down on a day-by-day basis. 2. How much money has TFL raised through PCN’s on Saturdays and Sundays since this change happened. Please can this be broken down on a day-by-day basis. 3. The ratio of drivers who have paid the congestion charge on weekends since this change happened to those who have been charged (broken down for each Saturday and Sunday since the change happened). 4. All data and justifications that were considered when making the decision to extend the congestion charge to Saturday and Sunday.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-2403-2122
Thank you for your request received on 16 November 2021 asking for information about Congestion Charge penalty charge notices (PCNs). I apologise for the delay in our response.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require. You asked for:
1. How many individual PCN have been levied on Saturdays and Sundays since this change happened. Please can this be broken down on a day-by-day basis.
The temporary changes to the Congestion Charge were introduced on 22 June 2020 as an emergency measure in response to the pandemic to ensure traffic was reduced so that essential journeys could continue to take place.
In order to ensure that all motorist were aware that the charging hours were extended to Saturday and Sunday for the first two weekends following the changes when a vehicle was observed in the zone without payment of a valid charge we issued a warning notice rather than a penalty, of the extended hours. The first PCNs, for weekend journeys, were issued on 11 July 2020. In addition the charge was suspended between 25 and 31 December 2020. Between 11 July 2020 and 27 January 2022 we issued 670,229 PCNs for non-payment of the daily charge on a Saturday or Sunday. Please see attached for this information broken down by day.
2. How much money has TFL raised through PCN’s on Saturdays and Sundays since this change happened. Please can this be broken down on a day-by-day basis
Between 11 July 2020 and 27 January 2022, we have received £44,032,251 in payments towards these PCNs.
3. The ratio of drivers who have paid the congestion charge on weekends since this change happened to those who have been charged (broken down for each Saturday and Sunday since the change happened).
Please see attached document.
4. All data and justifications that were considered when making the decision to extend the congestion charge to Saturday and Sunday.
The Mayoral Decision document found via the following link explains the rationale behind the changes to the Congestion Charge:
In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.
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.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
