Expanded ULEZ - penalty charge cancellation figures for first time offenders.
Request ID: FOI-2657-2122 Date published: 21 March 2022
You asked
1) Please can TFL disclose how many Penalty tickets were issued in expanded ULEZ zone since October 2021 for non compliant cars ( not vans)
2) Can it breakdown by region in the South West East and Northern Boroughs
3) How many first offenders were fined each month by borough
4) How many appeals were allowed for first offenders resulting in their penalty being cancelled - by borough if possible or across the ULEZ for each month since October 2021.
We answered
Our ref: FOI-2657-2122/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 21 February 2022 asking for information about the expanded 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.
On 25 October 2021 the Mayor of London expanded the ULEZ up to, but not including, the North and South Circular roads. The new zone is 18 times larger than before with nearly 4 million people living in the zone. Measuring 380km2, it covers one quarter of London and is the largest zone of its kind in Europe. The compliance rate (percentage of vehicles detected in the zone that meet the strict emission standards) during the first month was 92 per cent, compared to the compliance levels in 2017 of 39 per cent.
Following the expansion of the ULEZ, warning notices were issued to non-compliant vehicles seen using the zone in the first four weeks after expansion - i.e. between 25 October and 22 November 2021. Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued for contraventions from 23 November 2021. Warning notices were issued to ensure the correct action is taken in the future and to allow for any genuine mistakes that may have occurred. This approach was also taken for the introduction of the central London ULEZ in April 2019.
For your information we do publish a ULEZ fact sheet which gives information on the operation of the scheme. The latest version covers the period up to 31 December 2021 and is available online at https://content.tfl.gov.uk/ulez-online-factsheet-oct21-dec21.pdf
Please can TFL disclose how many Penalty tickets were issued in expanded ULEZ zone since October 2021 for non-compliant cars ( not vans)
The ULEZ expanded On 25 October 2021. As outlined above between 25 October and 22 November, when a non-compliant vehicle was observed in the zone without payment we issued a warning notice rather than a PCN. The first PCNs were issued for journeys on 23 November 2021.
When we issue a PCN we do not record the vehicle type and therefore we are unable to provide PCN volumes just for cars. The total number of PCNs issued between 23 November 2021 and 24 February 2022 is 556,285.
2) Can it breakdown by region in the South West East and Northern Boroughs
When we issue a penalty it is sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle as held by the DVLA. Therefore we only record the address of the registered keeper of the vehicle and that doesn’t indicate that the actual driver resided at the address to which the penalty was sent. Of the 556,285 PCNs issued 280,736 were sent to registered keepers who resided within a London Borough. A breakdown by borough is attached.
3) How many first offenders were fined each month by borough
Of the vehicles which incurred the PCN and are registered within Greater London 41,255 had not received a ULEZ penalty previously. The breakdown by borough is attached.
4) How many appeals were allowed for first offenders resulting in their penalty being cancelled - by borough if possible or across the ULEZ for each month since October 2021.
In order to challenge a PCN a the recipient must first contact TfL and make a representation. If the representation is accepted the penalty is cancelled. If it is rejected the motorist is offered a further right of appeal to an Independent Adjudicator and London Tribunals.
Of the 41,255 vehicles which incurred a PCN for the first time 3,933 penalties were cancelled. This includes penalties that were cancelled for any reason and not just on the grounds that it was the recipient’s first PCN. The breakdown by borough is attached.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are not satisfied with this response 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
