Increasing the fine level for drivers who fail to follow the rules on TfL managed roads

Thank you for your recent comment about our consultation proposing to increase the fine level for drivers who fail to follow the rules on TfL managed roads. The question tool is designed to let us know if you have any questions that will help you respond to the consultation. 

We are polling respondents on whether increasing the cost of the penalty charge is considered to be an effective deterrent. We are then seeking thoughts on the proposal to help us understand the reasons why respondents may support or oppose it, such as whether it may cause them any particular difficulties or hardship, or unfairly penalise any particular group of road users. 

Question two in our survey provides a comment box where we would like respondents to record thoughts. If you have not done so already, please consider completing our survey to share your thoughts with us. The closing date for comments is Sunday 19 September 2021. Alternatively, comments can also be sent by email to haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk

If you have a specific query or comment to make about a particular location on the Transport for London road network you can contact our customer services team via our website here: https://tfl.gov.uk/help-and-contact/

Thank you for your question. 

Blue Badge holders are not exempt from penalty charges, however a notice is only issued when the rules of the road are not followed.

Blue Badge holders have more flexibility when using red routes and can often park where others can't. 

Red route signs and lines will tell Blue Badge holders exactly where and when they can park on the Transport for London road network. Blue Badge holders should always check road signs and ensure badges are on display when parking in the following facilities

Loading boxes: Generally for up to three hours

Parking boxes: Generally for as long as the holder requires

Red lines: Vehicles can stop on red lines to pick up and drop off blue badge holders but will need to move on quickly

Thank you for your question. 

The enforcement of parking and moving traffic contraventions in bus lanes on the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) remains a priority for our Road Network Compliance Team. We are not responsible for the enforcement of contraventions on roads managed by London's local authorities - this is the responsibility of the relevant London borough. 

We are enhancing our enforcement activity with the introduction of new enforcement cameras that can be moved around the road network to where they are most needed. A trial of the new cameras in 2020 saw improvements in compliance by up to 60 per cent over six months. 

Furthermore, most bus lanes on the TLRN now operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is to support a sustainable recovery from the pandemic by helping to make bus journeys more reliable and consistent. Bus lane signs have changed to indicate the new hours of operation.

Thank you for your question.

In line with long-term objectives within the Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy our focus is on measures to promote mode shift to walking, cycling and public transport to improve Londoners’ health and air quality, and to reduce carbon emissions.

We have a clear approach to addressing congestion. We are focusing on a short-term effort to ensure the streets are operating as efficiently as possible and we have a longer-term plan to achieve a shift away from car use towards more efficient means of travel,  with a Healthy Streets approach to the way streets are laid out to encourage more Londoners to walk, cycle and use public transport.  This approach aims to improve air quality, reduce congestion and help make London's diverse communities greener, healthier and more attractive places to live, work, play and do business. 

Enforcement of contraventions on the red route network plays a key role towards healthy streets. Good levels of compliance reduce obstructions to free-flowing traffic which helps improve safety for all road users, reduces congestion and reduces journey times.

One such example of a transport scheme we have implemented in recent years is at Redbridge Roundabout. As a result of a road safety scheme arising from a collision study changes were made to road lane markings and kerb lines that improves the flow of traffic around the roundabout. We also widened the road on the south-eastern edge of the roundabout to provide more space for larger vehicles, making it easier for them to navigate and exit the junction. 

Other schemes underway play an important role in maintaining some of London’s key structures such as the Gunnersbury Avenue bridge replacement work, large investment to maintain Westway, and looking ahead, our plans for the Silvertown tunnel, linking to east London to the Greenwich peninsula. A key element of this project will be to reduce congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel.

Each year we also review the timings of over 1,000 sets of traffic signals in London, using current sources of traffic data to refine existing traffic signal timings.  As traffic patterns change on the road network, undertaking detailed timing reviews of our signals benefits pedestrians, bus passengers and other road users.  Road junctions are a key constraining factor on the effective operation of the road network, so maximising their performance is an important part of good network management. Undertaking focused timing reviews with the intention of ensuring the road network operates safely and reliably supports public transport, key worker journeys, emergency vehicle routes and key freight links for essential goods to be delivered, in support the Healthy Streets approach.

You can find out more about current and planned improvement work and projects on our website here: https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/

Thank you for your question.

The proposed higher Penalty Charge Notice level is anticipated to lead to a reduction in the level of offences, over time, making London’s busiest roads safer and more reliable for everyone using them.  

In line with the long-term objectives within the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, this change would help deliver benefits for road safety and bus reliability. Better compliance with the rules of the road would help reduce congestion and improve air quality. We also want to encourage more active travel such as walking and cycling, by making the red route a more enjoyable and pleasant environment.  

You can read more about the Mayor's Transport Strategy on our website here: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/the-mayors-transport-strategy.

Thank you for your question.

The level of fine for contraventions on the red route network has not increased for over ten years. The last increase was in April 2011 when it rose from £120 to £130.  The fine is halved if paid within 14 days. 

The proposed increase to £160 is in line with inflation since the last increase. Inflation on goods and services in the UK averaged at an increase of 2.6% a year between 2011 and 2019, meaning £130 of good and services in 2011 would cost £162.03 in 2020. In real terms, this means that this penalty has decreased in value and deterrence from £130 to around £105.90 (in 2011 prices). 

We expect the higher fine level to be a more effective deterrent that will, over time, lead to a reduced level of contraventions and help to keep the road network safe for everyone. Increased compliance with the rules is also expected to boost bus reliability, reduce congestion, improve air quality and the encourage more people to walk and cycle.  Our priority is to keep London moving safely and reduce delays, not raising revenue through fines. We want to help people understand and follow the red routes rules so they can avoid an unnecessary fine. Signs and road markings along the red routes tell people what they can and can't do. We only issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) when it is warranted to those who don't follow the rules indicated by signs and road markings and their actions could have resulted in delay, disruption or the risk of a collision.  

Revenue from PCNs is used to cover the cost of enforcement and any surplus revenue is reinvested to help fund road safety schemes. 

Thank you for your question. 

The enforcement of parking and moving traffic contraventions in bus lanes on the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) remains a priority for our Road Network Compliance Team. We are not responsible for the enforcement of contraventions on roads managed by London's local authorities - this is the responsibility of the relevant London borough. 

We are enhancing our enforcement activity with the introduction of new enforcement cameras that can be moved around the road network to where they are most needed. A trial of the new cameras in 2020 saw improvements in compliance by up to 60 per cent over six months. 

Furthermore, most bus lanes on the TLRN now operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is to support a sustainable recovery from the pandemic by helping to make bus journeys more reliable and consistent. Bus lane signs have changed to indicate the new hours of operation.If there are any specific bus lane locations on the TLRN that you are concerned about because of non-compliance and we can look into this further.