Please can you furnish me with this information ASAP as this is in relation to a PCN issued by TfL for the London Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) Can you please tell me : 1. The total number of signs there are in the “Low Emissions Zone” this should include all those in the zone itself, all those that advise you are entering the zone and those that advise to turn left or use roundabout to come out of the zone and avoid the charges. 2. To support this, please provide how many signs are currently deployed with the TfL contact number for more information, and their locations please. 3. Where are ALL the paper based copies of the leaflets on the LEZ held and if any are outside London. 4. When was the decision to remove the warning letters to people taken and any minutes of meetings, to identify why this decision was made, to include any communications about this and where was this ultimately published. 5. Any directive issued by TfL that might prove indicative of what a reasonable time would be to issue a PCN. 6. Any mission statement to underpin this reasonable time – such as to inform the motorist as soon as possible to make London air cleaner – which is what the LEZ is ultimately attempting to achieve. 7. An external communications policy if it exists would also be useful. 8. Any directives at all to facilitate the enforcement of the legislation.

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TfL Ref: FOI-4530-1718

Thank you for your email received on 13 February 2018 asking for information about Low Emission Zones. I apologise for the delay in replying to you.

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:

Please can you furnish me with this information ASAP as this is in relation to a PCN issued by TfL for the London Low Emissions Zone (LEZ). Can you please tell me :

1. The total number of signs there are in the “Low Emissions Zone” this should include all those in the zone itself, all those that advise you are entering the zone and those that advise to turn left or use roundabout to come out of the zone and avoid the charges.

    

    

   There are 731 LEZ entry signs located at or near the boundary to the LEZ (at least one on every entry into the zone boundary).

    

   There are 29 LEZ advance signs located on key approaches and motorways.

    

   There are 193 repeater signs located on main roads inside the zone.

    

    

    

2. To support this, please provide how many signs are currently deployed with the TfL contact number for more information, and their locations please.

    

    

   None of the LEZ signs portray phone numbers. Traffic signs are intended to be read by drivers of moving vehicles and contact numbers could encourage the illegal use of mobile phones while driving or otherwise distract the driver. Instead, the Transport for London header appears on the Low Emission Zone entry sign alongside the ubiquitous TfL roundel. It is a simple matter to obtain contact numbers for TfL from elsewhere, including through our website or directory enquiries. The website contains lots of information about all aspects of the scheme.

    

    

3. Where are ALL the paper based copies of the leaflets on the LEZ held and if any are outside London.

    

    

   We do not produce paper based leaflets on the LEZ for distribution outside London.

    

    

4. When was the decision to remove the warning letters to people taken and any minutes of meetings, to identify why this decision was made, to include any communications about this and where was this ultimately published.

    

    

   We stopped issuing warning letters for the LEZ on 30 June 2017. We do not hold any minutes of meetings regarding this decision.

    

    

   The regulations do not require TfL to issue a warning letter to the registered keeper of a vehicle being driven in the LEZ for the first time. This was introduced as a discretionary measure to ensure that motorists were aware of the scheme when they first drove in the LEZ.

    

    

   The LEZ was originally launched on 4 February 2008 and has been in place for over 10 years. Over 99% of the vehicles which are subject to the scheme are compliant with the standards. This would indicate that public knowledge of the scheme is high and therefore the decision was taken to remove warning letters.

    

    

5. Any directive issued by TfL that might prove indicative of what a reasonable time would be to issue a PCN.

    

    

   The regulations which govern the Low Emission Zone do not state a timeframe in which a penalty must be issued. No directives have been issued.

    

    

6. Any mission statement to underpin this reasonable time – such as to inform the motorist as soon as possible to make London air cleaner – which is what the LEZ is ultimately attempting to achieve.

    

    

   No mission statement exists.

    

    

7. An external communications policy if it exists would also be useful.

    

    

   There is no external communication policy around the timeframe in which a PCN must be issued.  

    

    

8. Any directives at all to facilitate the enforcement of the legislation.

We enforce in line with the regulations. No directives exist.

Further to your conversation with Neil Hassett on 10 May 2018 we will be writing to you separately regarding your complaint relating to the LEZ PCN which you incurred.  

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely,

Melissa Nichols

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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