Our ref: FOI-2611-2425/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 28 October 2024.
Whilst you refer to ‘Congestion Zones’, we have understood your request relates to the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ), and not the Congestion Charging Zone. If this is not correct, please let me know.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold some of the information you require.
- Can you inform me how many signs there are showing that this is a newly zoned area?
- How many signs there are as you enter Wimbledon?
Motorists are made aware they are about to enter the ULEZ by the presence of the Department for Transport (DfT) specially authorised regulatory ‘Ultra Low Emission Zone’ entry signs. The number, location and orientation of the ULEZ signs required was carefully considered at each entry point to ensure the regulatory signs would be visible to motorists on all entry approaches to the ULEZ. More information on the ULEZ signage used, including non-mandatory advanced warning signage can be found on our website: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/ulez-road-signs
There are a total of 1928 ULEZ signs. We are unable to advise the number of signs in the Wimbledon area, as this is too broad a description. If you require information on the number of signs in a more specific area, please advise.
- How many signs there are on the road we were parked on and the surrounding main roads that lead into this road?
We are unable to answer this as we do not know where the vehicle was parked. It is important to note that the camera that captured the contravention may not be the location the vehicle entered the zone. We take multiple images of a vehicle when it travels in the charging zone and use the best quality image for issuing the PCN.
4. I would also like you to explain how you alert visitors about changes in Congestion Zones including: how many charges relate to people that love outside of London over the last 6 months (this will evidence whether your signs are adequate)
TfL has endeavoured to provide detailed information on all the charging schemes both to UK and motorists visiting London from overseas. There is extensive information available on the TfL website and widespread signage indicating the presence of the schemes. In January 2023, TfL launched a multi-channel campaign targeting Londoners and home counties drivers to raise awareness of ULEZ and to explain who is affected, where the expanded zone will operate and how the scheme operates including hours of operations, daily charge and how to pay. The campaign aims to encourage vehicle checking to help drivers prepare ahead of when the scheme expands from 29 August 2023.
Activity ran across TV (ITV and Channel 4), video on demand (ITVX, All4, Sky), radio, local and pan-London press, national specialist press e.g. What Van and What Car, and national press, a radio and local newspaper content partnership, digital display, messaging on Waze, a wayfinding app, social, roadside posters and petrol pump nozzle advertising. In addition to advertising, emails were sent to customers registered to TfL’s database, leaflets detailing the expansion are being distributed to households in the outer London expansion area as well as being distributed face to face in high footfall areas.
The media activity enabled TfL to reach over 3.3m vehicle owners in London six or more times as well as 6.5m vehicle owners in the home counties six or more times so those who drive in London are aware of the upcoming expansion including boundary and how the scheme operates.
PCNs are issued to the registered keeper of a vehicle as held by the DVLA. The address to which a penalty is issued does not necessarily mean the driver resides at that address. For example penalties will be issued to hire and lease companies based outside London when the driver may reside inside.
From 01 May 2024 to 31 October 2024 inclusive, at total of 559,107 ULEZ PCNs have been issued to Registered Keeper addresses outside of London.
1,048,894 ULEZ PCNs were issued in total over this period.
- Also do you really think £90 per day is a relevant amount compared to the charge itself – I would like an explanation of this and how the figure was confirmed and how it was justified.
The penalty amount of £180 for non-payment of the charge(s) is prescribed by legislation but is reduced by 50 per cent to £90 if paid within 14 days. The level of the PCN is designed to provide an effective deterrent of receiving a PCN and ensure the continued effectiveness of our schemes in achieving their objectives. Our priority is to keep London moving and persuade the most frequent entrants into the zone(s) to upgrade their vehicles in order to achieve the scheme objectives for the ULEZ and Congestion Charge, not raising revenue through fines.
Please see the attached 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
