Motorists have been hit with fines exceeding £200 million by councils for driving in low-traffic eco-zones, as disclosed by the Mail. This comes amidst backlash over Sadiq Khan’s knighthood.
In London alone, nearly two million penalty charge notices have been issued to drivers in a span of just two and a half years for breaching low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs).
The number and total value of fines has doubled since 2019 to 2022, when London councils issued 1.1 million fines worth up to £95 million.
Low-traffic neighbourhoods have popped up across the capital since the pandemic, but have proved highly controversial.
LTNs are streets designated for local traffic only, often barricaded with bollards or planters, and many are equipped with number plate recognition cameras to capture violators.
Critics say they lead to more congestion on nearby roads, but Sir Sadiq has championed them – insisting they are good for pedestrians and cyclists.
The announcement yesterday that he has been handed a knighthood in the New Year Honours prompted furious claims of a ‘reward for failure’, with the Tories pointing to high knife crime, hikes in council tax, congestion charges and emissions levies.
According to the new data obtained via freedom of information requests by the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) to all London councils, 1.96 million penalty charge notices were handed out since the beginning of the 2022/23 financial year.
Almost two million penalty charge notices have been handed out to drivers in London over just two and a half years for entering low-traffic neighbourhoods ( LTNs )
Sadiq Khan. The number and total value of fines has doubled since 2019 to 2022, when London councils issued 1.1 million fines worth up to £95 million
Offending drivers are usually hit with a £130 fine for each incident, though the costs are often halved to £65 if paid quickly.
The total value of the fines is estimated at £229.8million, according to the TPA’s calculations. Combined with successful challenges and unpaid charges, the total revenue raised was £85.7 million, according to the data provided.
It represents an increase from 2019-22, when councils in the capital issued 1.1 million fines worth up to £95 million.
In 2021/22 alone, £68.1million was raised compared to £91.8million in 2022/23 – an increase of a third. However, more councils responded to the latest request than on the previous occasion.
The data will fuel criticism of Sir Sadiq’s time in City Hall.
Last night the TPA said motorists would be ‘furious’ at the way LTN schemes have accelerated.
The campaign group urged councils to reform the system so fines are only levied after multiple warnings – rather than being used as ‘get rich quick schemes’.
Hackney Council issued the most penalty charge notices of all the councils which responded, handing out just under 400,000. It also raised the most revenue over the two and a half years – £14.4million.
Half of the total area of Hackney is covered by a LTN – more than any other London borough. The council says the zones ‘help to reduce traffic and emissions by encouraging people to switch to walking, cycling or public transport’.
A cyclist passes planters blocking a road for cars in a low traffic neighbourhood (LTN)
Enfield, North London after Residents say they’ve experienced crime and road safety issues for years as a result of two two low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs)
Haringey issued 311,975 LTN fines since the beginning of the 2022/23 financial year, while Lambeth handed out 247,948.
[Must keep] Elliot Keck, head of campaigns at the TPA, told the Mail: ‘Motorists will be furious at the way that low-traffic neighbourhood schemes have accelerated over the past few years as cash-hungry councils seek ever more ways to squeeze taxpayers dry.
‘This can be seen in the significant increase in the value of fines levied on frequently unsuspecting drivers.
‘If councils want LTNs to be viewed as productive contributions to local neighbourhoods rather than get rich quick schemes then they should drastically reform the system to ensure that fines are only levied after multiple warnings and after an extended grace period.’
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: ‘Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) are installed by boroughs to help improve air quality in London, support more people to walk and cycle, and make London’s roads safer.
‘Overall, research shows that well-planned LTNs do not simply shift traffic from one place to another but lead to an overall reduction in motor vehicles on roads.’
City Hall added that research suggests LTNs reduce road casualties, support a large increase in walking and cycling, reduce crime and enable young people to be more active.
Twenty six out of 33 London councils replied to the request for data.
