Latest news with #Ulez
Daily Mirror
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
UK motorists warned as TfL's £18 plans unveiled for anyone driving in London
Plans to spike the London Congestion Charge to £18 per day has sparked outrage, with many branding the proposal 'day light robbery' - but TfL says such measures are necessary Brits could soon be stung with £18 fees for driving through central London - following controversial proposals to hike the Congestion Charge. Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled bold plans to increase the £15 daily fee for drivers in the Big Smoke by 20 per cent from January 2, 2026. The increase marks the first rise since 2020, when the fee cost just £11.50. In place from 7am-6pm Monday through Friday, and 12pm - 6pm on weekends and Bank Holidays, the charge aims to 'manage traffic and congestion in the heart of London' at the busiest times of day when road space is 'most constrained'. TfL states that congestion in the capital cost London £3.85 billion in 2024 alone - averaging out at £942 per driver. Its fee increase attempts to curb the additional 2,200 vehicles that would otherwise join the weekday traffic. TfL has also proposed that, from March 2027, and for new applicants only, the Residents' discount will be available only for electric vehicles. A public consultation on the changes started on May 27 and will end on August 4. Drivers who don't pay the charge within 48 hours will face a penalty of £180. However, this is reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days. Motorists with electric cars (EVs) will receive a 25 per cent discount if they're registered for Auto Pay - while a 50 per cent discount will be offered for electric vans, Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), light quadricycles and heavy quadricycles registered for Auto Pay. From March 4, 2030, these discounts will decrease to 25 per cent for electric vans, HGVs, light quadricycles and heavy quadricycles registered for Auto Pay - and 12.5 per cent discount for electric cars registered for Auto Pay. TfL is also consulting on some proposed changes to the Mayor's road user charging guidance, which would allow the Congestion Charge to be increased each year in line with Tube fares, inflation plus 1 per cent or a lower amount. Drivers of older, more polluting vehicles are already subject to paying £12.50 to travel anything within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) which was expanding in 2023 to cover all of London's Borough. This means cars that don't meet the Ulez requirement will have to pay £30.50 a day to drive through central London. "The congestion charge has been a huge success since its introduction, but we must ensure it is fit for purpose," said Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport. "Sticking to the status quo would see around 2,200 more vehicles using the congestion charging zone on an average weekday next year. "At the same time we must support Londoners and businesses to use greener and more sustainable travel. That's why I'm pleased we're proposing that substantial incentives remain in place for Londoners who switch to cleaner vehicles. We encourage everyone to have their say and respond to the public consultation." The proposals were also welcomed by environmental charities including Clean Cities Campaign and Possible. Sophie O'Connell, Senior policy adviser at the Green Alliance said: "It's great to see London continuing its leadership in encouraging the switch to cleaner vehicles through the proposed changes to the Clean Vehicle Discount. "With larger incentives for electric vans and delivery vehicles, which have further to go in decarbonising, these changes target the right areas. The new measures send a clear signal: driving a polluting vehicle through central London should not be cheaper than taking public transport, making the cleaner choice the obvious one while supporting both public health and the environment." However, the announcement has riled swathes of commuters - who have branded the proposed charges 'daylight robbery'. "Jeez, how to rinse every pound out of the ordinary working man," one person complained on X (formerly Twitter). Another scathed: "Another reason not to visit London anymore!" A third added: "Worked in London in the 80s and I wouldn't visit the capital now if you paid me," while a fourth dubbed the charge a 'pure money-making scam'.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Congestion Charge set to rise by 20% to £18
The Congestion Charge should rise by a fifth to £18, Transport for London (TfL) has proposed. On 2 January, the daily £15 fee for drivers of vehicles in central London will increase, the first such rise since June 2020 when the charge jumped 30% from £11.50. If the charge is not paid within 48 hours, drivers face a penalty of £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days. Drivers of electric cars, who currently travel free in the zone, were expecting to start paying the full charge from December but will now receive a 25% discount provided they are registered for auto pay. HGVs will get a 50% discount. TfL is also proposing to raise fares annually in line with public transport fares, which usually increase with inflation. City Hall said without the changes at least 2,200 more vehicles would drive in the zone each weekday while TfL said the increase would be "effective in managing traffic and congestion in central London". London has the most congested roads in Europe, a title it has held for four consecutive years. Applications for new residents' discounts from petrol and diesel car owners are set to be abolished altogether in March 2027. A public consultation will run until 4 August. Currently, these motorists pay nothing to drive in central London. But from January - provided they are registered for auto pay - electric car drivers will pay £13.50 a day (25% discount) while HGVs, light quadricycles and heavy quadricycles will pay £9 (50% off). In March 2030, the discounts will drop to 25% and 12.5% respectively. TfL had previously announced plans to end the Congestion Charge exemption for electric vehicles altogether. However, a recent report from Stonehaven Global warned that abolishing the discount for electric vehicles could "threaten to undo years of air quality gains and risk an 11% rise in nitrogen oxides across central London". The head of UK and strategy for Clean Cities, Oliver Lord, who was among the critics of the plan to abolish the electric vehicles exemption altogether, said the latest proposals amounted to a "balanced package" and that the mayor had listened. From March 2027 and for new applicants only, the residents' discount will be abolished for anyone not driving an electric vehicle. Currently, residents driving non-electric cars receive a 90% Congestion Charge discount. TfL says: "Those who are already registered for the discount ahead of this date will not see any changes, reflecting that they might be reliant on their current form of transport." No. Drivers of older, more polluting vehicles already pay £12.50 to travel anywhere within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez), which was expanded to cover all of London's boroughs in August 2023. These latest changes mean if you drive one of these vehicles in central London, it will cost you £30.50 a day. On top of this, if you use either the Silvertown or Blackwall tunnels, that will cost up to £4 each way at peak times. On 17 February 2003, motorists had to pay a charge to drive in central London for the first time, under the mayoralty of Ken Livingstone. It cost £5 and 57,000 had paid by the charge by the afternoon of day one. A western extension to the zone in places such as Kensington and Notting Hill, introduced in 2007, was abolished four years later. By 2011, the cost had doubled to £10 and another £1.50 was added to the fee in 2014. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to End to discounts for zero-emission vehicles Increased congestion charge to become permanent London congestion charge increase begins
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ulez protesters cleared of harassing Sadiq Khan
A group of anti-Ulez protesters found guilty of harassing Sir Sadiq Khan have had their convictions quashed. Four activists were charged over a demonstration named 'Khanage at Khan's' and subsequently found guilty after a trial at Westminster magistrates' court. The Telegraph can reveal they have now been cleared of harassment after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) received 'new information' which undermined evidence in its case. The protest was organised last April in response to the Mayor's controversial ultra-low emission zone [Ulez] expansion to the outer boroughs of London. Motorists with non-compliant polluting vehicles must pay £12.50 a day to drive across all London boroughs. Activists who have campaigned against Ulez have said the charge is having an impact on their commutes to work and even keeping some families apart. A court heard the protest took place around 328ft (100m) from Sir Sadiq's home in Tooting, south London, according to the BBC. All four entering not guilty pleas – Nicholas Arlett, 74, West Wickham, Martin Whitehead, 62, Beckhenham, Alison Young, 51, from Windsor and Lloyd Dunsford, 65, from Bexleyheath – were convicted of 'harassment of a person in his home' following a trial in December. However, shortly after some of the group began the process of appealing their convictions, the CPS confirmed it would not be contesting an appeal. As a result all four convictions were quashed by Judge Peter Lodder KC on May 15 at Kingston Crown Court. Speaking to the Telegraph, Mr Whitehead, said: 'I'm not a serial protester – this is the only thing I've ever protested about – Ulez.' The plasterer said that shortly after the trial he felt he had to 'explain himself' to those who had read about his conviction in the media. 'A lot of the newspapers got hold of the stories when we were convicted and that hurt a lot as well because it was widely publicised,' he said. 'We were made to look like we were horrible people and that got to me as well because all my neighbours saw it and people I worked for saw it – I had to explain myself.' Reflecting on the day he found out his conviction had been quashed, Mr Whitehead said: 'I'm obviously over the moon that it's over and done with… we weren't expecting it at all – I mean, I'm a grown man of 62, but I cried.' A BBC report of the trial stated that the Mayor was not thought to have been in his house during the protest, but District Judge Daniel Sternberg said neighbours on the street were 'disrupted in their private lives whilst in their homes'. The judge also reportedly said the demonstration was loud and featured amplified music, including the theme tune to the television series The Bill, and that there was 'offensive language'. He said he was satisfied that the protesters 'knew, or ought to have known, that their presence was likely to cause alarm or distress to Sadiq Khan'. Mr Whitehead, Ms Young and Mr Dunsford were each fined £500, with a victim surcharge of £200. Mr Arlett had a higher level of culpability than the others and was fined £750, along with a £300 victim surcharge. However, now the groups' convictions have been quashed, any full or partial payments made will be repaid. The victim surcharge is used to support victims of crime through the Victim and Witness General Fund – which means the money paid in this case will not go to Sir Sadiq himself. A CPS spokesperson told The Telegraph: 'We have a duty to keep every case under continuous review and after receiving new information which undermined the evidence in our case, we did not contest the defendants' right to appeal their conviction.' A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the decision was down to a 'procedural issue' rather than any problems with the 'substance of the evidence'. They said they were unable to provide further details. Lawyer Luke Gittos, who was representing two of the protesters at the time the convictions were quashed, said it was very rare for convictions to be quashed at this stage. Mr Gittos, whose firm did not represent any of the group during the trial, said: 'It's extremely rare – it's an implicit concession that the convictions were wrongly obtained and that happens very rarely.' The Telegraph approached representatives of Sir Sadiq for a comment but they did not provide one. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Telegraph
Ulez protesters cleared of harassing Sadiq Khan
A group of anti-Ulez protesters found guilty of harassing Sir Sadiq Khan have had their convictions quashed. Four activists were charged over a demonstration named 'Khanage at Khan's' and subsequently found guilty after a trial at Westminster magistrates' court. The Telegraph can reveal they have now been cleared of harassment after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) received 'new information' which undermined evidence in its case. The protest was organised last April in response to the Mayor's controversial ultra-low emission zone [Ulez] expansion to the outer boroughs of London. Motorists with non-compliant polluting vehicles must pay £12.50 a day to drive across all London boroughs. Activists who have campaigned against Ulez have said the charge is having an impact on their commutes to work and even keeping some families apart. A court heard the protest took place around 328ft (100m) from Sir Sadiq's home in Tooting, south London, according to the BBC. All four entering not guilty pleas – Nicholas Arlett, 74, West Wickham, Martin Whitehead, 62, Beckhenham, Alison Young, 51, from Windsor and Lloyd Dunsford, 65, from Bexleyheath – were convicted of 'harassment of a person in his home' following a trial in December. However, shortly after some of the group began the process of appealing their convictions, the CPS confirmed it would not be contesting an appeal. As a result all four convictions were quashed by Judge Peter Lodder KC on May 15 at Kingston Crown Court. Speaking to the Telegraph, Mr Whitehead, said: 'I'm not a serial protester – this is the only thing I've ever protested about – Ulez.' The plasterer said that shortly after the trial he felt he had to 'explain himself' to those who had read about his conviction in the media. 'A lot of the newspapers got hold of the stories when we were convicted and that hurt a lot as well because it was widely publicised,' he said. 'We were made to look like we were horrible people and that got to me as well because all my neighbours saw it and people I worked for saw it – I had to explain myself.' 'I'm a grown man of 62, but I cried' Reflecting on the day he found out his conviction had been quashed, Mr Whitehead said: 'I'm obviously over the moon that it's over and done with… we weren't expecting it at all – I mean, I'm a grown man of 62, but I cried.' A BBC report of the trial stated that the Mayor was not thought to have been in his house during the protest, but District Judge Daniel Sternberg said neighbours on the street were 'disrupted in their private lives whilst in their homes'. The judge also reportedly said the demonstration was loud and featured amplified music, including the theme tune to the television series The Bill, and that there was 'offensive language'. He said he was satisfied that the protesters 'knew, or ought to have known, that their presence was likely to cause alarm or distress to Sadiq Khan'. Mr Whitehead, Ms Young and Mr Dunsford were each fined £500, with a victim surcharge of £200. Mr Arlett had a higher level of culpability than the others and was fined £750, along with a £300 victim surcharge. However, now the groups' convictions have been quashed, any full or partial payments made will be repaid. The victim surcharge is used to support victims of crime through the Victim and Witness General Fund – which means the money paid in this case will not go to Sir Sadiq himself. A CPS spokesperson told The Telegraph: 'We have a duty to keep every case under continuous review and after receiving new information which undermined the evidence in our case, we did not contest the defendants' right to appeal their conviction.' 'Procedural issue' A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the decision was down to a 'procedural issue' rather than any problems with the 'substance of the evidence'. They said they were unable to provide further details. Lawyer Luke Gittos, who was representing two of the protesters at the time the convictions were quashed, said it was very rare for convictions to be quashed at this stage. Mr Gittos, whose firm did not represent any of the group during the trial, said: 'It's extremely rare – it's an implicit concession that the convictions were wrongly obtained and that happens very rarely.'
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lawrence Fox denies encouraging 'Blade Runner' activists to smash up ULEZ cameras in protest at Sadiq Khan's £12.50-a-day charge
Laurence Fox wore a 'Two Tier' cap and sported a new cross tattoo today as he denied encouraging people to damage Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) cameras. The actor-turned-politician smoked a cigarette as he walked towards Westminster Magistrates' Court in London while holding the hand of his partner Elizabeth Barker. Fox, 46, is accused of posting messages on X between September 12 and October 4 2023 'which were capable of encouraging the commission of an either-way offence'. Fox allegedly wrote about cameras being torn down and praised anti-Ulez activists known as 'Blade Runners' in some posts, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. The Gosford Park actor appeared in court to plead not guilty to a charge of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an either-way offence. Transport for London (TfL) said that in the relevant period there were some 700 incidents of damage to cameras with a cost of more than £920,000, prosecutors say. Encouraging someone to threaten damage to property can result in the same sentence as making the threat, which is up to 10 years in prison, the Sentencing Council confirmed. Fox was granted unconditional bail to attend Croydon Crown Court on June 13. The words 'Two-Tier' on Fox's hat are a reference to perceived differences in judicial outcomes depending on the race of the defendant. Cameras have been repeatedly damaged after the Ulez area was expanded to cover all of London in 2023. They allow TfL to monitor the cars that enter and exit the zone. Vehicles that do not meet minimum emissions standards are required to pay a £12.50 daily fee when used in the Ulez zone, or face a fine. Videos have been posted online showing 'Blade Runners' cutting the cameras' wires or completely removing the devices.
