Consultation has concluded
Consultation update 10 January 2022
Between 5 August and 19 September 2021, we held a public consultation on a proposal to increase the fine level for drivers who fail to follow the rules on TfL managed roads.
We received over 2,000 responses to the consultation. Thank you to all those who took part.
Consultation outcome
Following careful consideration of the consultation responses, we have decided to proceed to increase the level of a PCN issued to people who fail to follow the rules of the TLRN from £130 to £160, as set out in the consultation.
Our consultation report, which includes our responses to the main issues raised can be found in the ‘Documents’ section of this website.
The penalty charge level increase will be implemented from 17 January 2022.
This will be supported with public information and a press release to make everyone aware of the change.
The Mayor’s decision
The Mayor considered the consultation responses on 8 December 2021 and the Mayoral Decision is available on the Greater London Authority website here: https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/governance-and-spending/good-governance/decisions?order=DESC
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Overview
To help keep London moving safely and reduce disruption and delays we are proposing to increase the fine level (TfL penalty charge) from £130 to £160 for people who fail to follow the rules of the red route network (those roads we manage in London). The fine level would be reduced by half to £80 if paid within 14 days.
We want this consultation to be accessible to everyone. There is an Easy Read version of our materials in the ‘Documents’ section. There is also an Easy Read version of our survey.
In the bottom right-hand corner, there are also British Sign Language videos of the proposals and survey (audio versions of these are available in the ‘Documents’ section).
If you need to translate this page into another language, please use the ‘Select language’ button in the bottom-left hand corner of this page.
Our proposal in more detail
We are responsible for the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) also known as 'red routes'. Red routes can be identified by the red no-stopping signs and lines along the road.
The TLRN makes up 5% of London’s roads and carries up to 30% of the city's traffic. London’s local authorities manage the rest of our city’s roads.
You can find maps showing all the red routes in London in the ‘Documents’ section.
Keeping traffic moving safely
Our priority in managing the red route network is to keep traffic moving safely. When people don’t follow red route signs and road markings, it creates safety risks, disrupts traffic, and creates congestion for everyone. Vital deliveries and collections can be obstructed, and buses and the emergency services can be delayed.
To minimise this we use enforcement tools, like fines, to encourage everyone to follow the rules of the road.
Income we receive from fines is used to cover the cost of enforcement, and any surplus is reinvested in making roads safer.
Fines, which are called Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), can be issued on red routes for, but are not limited to:
- Vehicles parking illegally in loading bays
- Vehicles blocking yellow box junctions or making a turn where this movement is banned
- Vehicles driving or parking in a bus lane
- Vehicles parking illegally on double red lines, or on single red lines at times when parking is not permitted
- Vehicles parking in red route parking bays longer than permitted
Increasing the cost of the PCN
The cost of a PCN for contraventions on the red route network has not increased for over 10 years. In April 2011 it rose from £120 to £130. It currently stands at £130.
Our proposed PCN increase to £160, for contraventions on the red route network, is in line with inflation since the last PCN increase in 2011.
According to the Bank of England inflation calculator, inflation has averaged at 2.5% a year since 2011.
An effective deterrent
We believe it is important that the level of a PCN, for contraventions on the red route network, must remain an effective deterrent. A higher PCN level is anticipated to be a more effective deterrent that will, over time, lead to a reduced level of contraventions.
Good levels of compliance would improve safety for all road users, reduce congestion and reduce journey times as more obstructions to free-flowing traffic would be reduced.
This would help deliver benefits such as road safety, bus reliability, reduced congestion, improved air quality and the encouragement of active travel as walking and cycling becomes more enjoyable in a pleasant environment. This is in line with the long-term objectives within the Mayor’s Transport Strategy.
For further reading, including details of our previous public consultation related to PCNs held in 2017, please see the Background page in ‘Documents’.
Equalities Impact Assessment
We have undertaken an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA). The EqIA examines what impact (positive or negative) the proposed PCN increase for contraventions on the red route may have on customers with characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010.
The EqIA can be found in the ‘Documents’ section.
What’s next?
This proposal is subject to the outcome of our consultation. Once consultation ends on 19 September 2021, we will spend time considering all the responses we receive and will prepare a consultation report.
The consultation report will be presented to the Mayor of London, who will then decide whether to increase the level of the PCN for contraventions of the rules of the red route network.
Should the Mayor decide to increase the level of the PCN, he must notify the Secretary of State for Transport.
The Secretary of State may object if it is considered the level of the financial penalty would be excessive. If he does so, the increased level may not be introduced until the Secretary of State withdraws the objection.
The Secretary of State must exercise his reserve powers within 28 days of being notified.
Once the above process ends, should it be decided that the cost of the penalty charge will increase, we will communicate this.
A copy of the consultation report will be available to everyone that takes part in the consultation and a copy will be published on our website.
Have your say
We are running a public consultation about this proposal. The consultation is open from Thursday 5 August 2021 to Sunday 19 September 2021.
Please share your views by taking part in our online survey. It should take you no more than 10 minutes to complete.
To take part you will need to register with your email address. Your details will be kept secure and only used, with your permission, to update you about the outcome of the consultation and our next steps.
If you prefer not to complete the survey, then please submit your response to us in writing (no stamp needed) to:
British Sign Language (BSL) consultation proposals video
British Sign Language (BSL) consultation survey video
