Request ID: FOI-3577-2223 Date published: 13 April 2023
You asked
I want you to come back to me with the display points of every single sign on the place I was caught, the advertising that has been done on media channels outside London, and the number of fines that were issued on the weekend of the Carabou Cup Final at Wembley.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-3577-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 21st March 2023 asking for information about the ULEZ scheme.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“I want you to come back to me with the display points of every single sign on the place I was caught, the advertising that has been done on media channels outside London, and the number of fines that were issued on the weekend of the Carabou Cup Final at Wembley.”
I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
In answer to your first question, please see the document attached which shows the location of ULEZ signage on this part of Finchley Road. More general information about ULEZ signage is available on our website via the following link:
In answer to your last question, on the weekend of the Carabou Cup final (25/26 February 2023) the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued for non-payment of the ULEZ daily charge were as below:
Sat 25 Feb 2023: 4,178 ULEZ PCNs issued
Sun 26 Feb 2023: 3,707 ULEZ PCNs issued
In regard to advertising, with the expansion of ULEZ up to the North and South Circular Roads, with effect from 25 October 2021, TfL ran a large-scale multi-channel information campaign targeting both private and commercial vehicle owners with the aim of raising awareness about the expansion of the zone. The campaign launched on 5th October 2020 giving drivers over a year to prepare for the expansion. Advertising also ran for a period after the zone expansion took effect. We focussed our efforts on channels that would cost effectively reach as many drivers as possible. Some of the channels we used reached a wider population outside London. The messaging explained where and how the expanded ULEZ would operate, the hours of operation, which vehicles were affected and the required emissions standards, where to check a vehicle, and the cost of the daily charge and how to pay should their vehicle not meet the required emissions standards. There is also detailed information on the TfL website including maps (see here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone).
In addition to advertising, early warning signage was installed at entrances to the expanded zone between July and September 2021, explaining the ULEZ was coming on 25 October 2021. In addition, c.130 electronic variable message signs, on main roads throughout London were used to raise awareness of the start date of the scheme. These appeared two weeks ahead of the zone expanding and remained in place, two weeks after the expansion. This was followed by permanent signage at every entry point along the boundary and along key arterial approaches.
The following channels were used to raise awareness and provide detailed information:
Press releases– A number of press releases were issued during the course of the campaign, and they achieved widespread coverage. A number of articles appeared in national broadsheets such as the Financial Times, The Times, Guardian and Independent. There were a series of media events that resulted in the BBC and ITV interviewing the Mayor of London about the ULEZ.
Specialist presstitles - adverts appeared in the following national titles, What Van? Business Car, Fleet World, Van Fleet World, Van User, Electrical Contracting News, Electrical Time Magazine, Heating and Plumbing Monthly, Motorcycle News, What Car? And Route One. This ran in bursts during the campaign (July-September 2021, October-November 2021)
Mailings - We also sent out 1,068,486 letters via the DVLA to registered keepers of non-compliant vehicles seen in the zone during July, August, September and October 2021 to advise of the new scheme and the requirements.
Radio - Our radio adverts ran on the following stations: Absolute Radio, Capital London, Gold London, Heart London, Jazz FM, Kiss (London and network), LBC, Magic and Radio X London, Sunrise and Smooth London. Digital radio ran July-October 2021 and analogue radio July-October 2021. The map below shows the radio transmission area both inside and 25-30 miles radius outside of London subject to the terrain:
TV and video on demand –From 4-24 October 2021an advert explaining where the expanded zone would operate, the launch date and how to check your vehicle appeared on ITV, Channel 4, London Live and video on demand channels. The airtime was predominately aimed at London, although ITV and Channel 4 airtime has an overspill of up to 50 miles outside of London subject to the terrain. See below coverage maps.
ITV coverage map:
Channel 4 coverage map:
Social mediaand online video – social media adverts ran on Facebook and Instagram and online video targeted London drivers via third party websites providing visual clarity on the area where the ULEZ expands up to. This ran in bursts during the campaign (August-November 2021).
Google search adverts - directed those interested to the TfL website for further information and to check their vehicle using the online vehicle compliance checker. This activity ran October 2021-October 2022.
Digital display adverts – this ran in bursts during the campaign during October -November 2020, January-February 2021, June-October 2021and digital ads on Waze, a wayfinding navigation app, providing information to drivers of the new expanded boundary and where it operates during February-March 2021, September-October 2021.
Emails – over 5 million emails were sent to customers registered with TfL.
After 25 October 2021 advertising appeared on radio, digital display and via Google search as well as posters.
Digital radio – ran October-December 2021
Analogue radio – ran October-December 2021
Digital display adverts – ran October 2021-March 2022
Google search adverts – ran October 2021-March 2022
If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
