Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that penalty charges for driving and parking contraventions on its roads will increase from £130 to £160 next week.
The capital’s red routes, which are managed by TfL, make up 5% of roads but carry 30% of its traffic. Stopping is generally prohibited on these roads outside designated locations and times.
Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) can be issued for contraventions such as:
- parking illegally in loading bays
- blocking yellow box junctions
- making a turn where this movement is banned, which creates risk for people walking and cycling
- driving or parking in a bus lane
- stopping on the red route
A red route across Westminster Bridge with the old County Hall and London Eye in the background
TfL said there was a 26% increase in the number of PCNs issued for parking, loading, bus lane and moving traffic offences between 2016 and 2019.
Siwan Hayward, TfL's director of compliance, policing, operations and security, said: ’We are committed to keeping London moving safely and efficiently, and compliance on the Transport for London Road Network is essential in achieving those aims.
‘Non-compliance impacts London’s air quality, creates safety risks, disrupts traffic and creates congestion for everyone. Increasing the penalty charge for contraventions on our road network in line with inflation will provide a more effective deterrent to drivers and improve the safety and reliability of the network.’
TfL pointed out that the cost of a PCN for contraventions on the red route network has not increased for more than 10 years, with the last increase, from £120 to £130, in April 2011. It said the increase to £160 is in line with inflation since then and will bring the charges in line with the penalties for non-payment of the Congestion Charge and the Ultra-Low Emission Zone.
The cash-strapped transport authority pointed out that any revenue through penalty notices is invested back into its network. It has not responded to an enquiry from Transport Network as to what impact the increase is projected to have on such revenue.
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
