Roscobbc
Moderator
Driving in (or through) London from after October 2021
Let me apologise for what is to follow - it will be confusing - it's typical governmental blurb designed specifically to do just that - confuse us all......
A good many of you will probably skip right over this post thinking "I never drive in London - not interested" and move on. If you think that its not important for you, just remember what happens in London eventually will happen in other larger UK towns and cities (so watch-out Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford, Birmingham, Newcastle etc, etc)
Perhaps you'll be unaware that due to Transport For London's drastically reduced income during the Covid crisis, operational hours of the Central London congestion charge have changed from the original Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm - to the now current 7 days a weeks from 7am to 10pm and increased to £15 per day.
The explanation from mayor Khan was this was to help emergency services easier access in London during the Covid crisis..........
You may be unaware of the relatively recent (and additional) ULEZ charge to drive in or through London.
This was originally introduced as an additional and separate charge for older 'polluting' vehicles (pre 2006 'ish petrol and pre 2014 'ish diesels)
If your vehicle is non ULEZ compliant and you wish to travel in or through the central London congestion charge zone 7 days a week, any time of day you'll have to pay a further £15 between the hours of 12am and 12pm daily for the 'privilege'. With me so far? (it is confusing!)
Say whilst in London, perhaps visiting the Chelsea Cruise or Ace Cafe (and wanting to take-in a show or have a meal in the West End) - remain in London after 12pm (travelling home in the early hours) and you'll pay a further £12.50.
As from October 2021 the ULEZ zone (not Congestion Charge Zone) expands out to the A206 North and South Circular roads. So travel around the North and South Circular roads at any time and you'll be fine. Veer off and venture in to the central zone - pay £15.00.......any time of day or night.
In addition you'll need to add any parking charges, fuel of course (probably quite a bit as you will be travelling in even more highly congested traffic driving past the largely empty cycle lanes.........
If you have a vehicle that is 'Historic' (i.e 40 years old or more) then it is theoretically exempt from the £15 ULEZ charge (but not Congestion Charge) I say 'theoretical' as in order to get the exemption you need to register your car on TFL's website.
So get it badly wrong and your London 'visit' could cost you £40 in TFL charges alone........
Let me apologise for what is to follow - it will be confusing - it's typical governmental blurb designed specifically to do just that - confuse us all......
A good many of you will probably skip right over this post thinking "I never drive in London - not interested" and move on. If you think that its not important for you, just remember what happens in London eventually will happen in other larger UK towns and cities (so watch-out Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford, Birmingham, Newcastle etc, etc)
Perhaps you'll be unaware that due to Transport For London's drastically reduced income during the Covid crisis, operational hours of the Central London congestion charge have changed from the original Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm - to the now current 7 days a weeks from 7am to 10pm and increased to £15 per day.
The explanation from mayor Khan was this was to help emergency services easier access in London during the Covid crisis..........
You may be unaware of the relatively recent (and additional) ULEZ charge to drive in or through London.
This was originally introduced as an additional and separate charge for older 'polluting' vehicles (pre 2006 'ish petrol and pre 2014 'ish diesels)
If your vehicle is non ULEZ compliant and you wish to travel in or through the central London congestion charge zone 7 days a week, any time of day you'll have to pay a further £15 between the hours of 12am and 12pm daily for the 'privilege'. With me so far? (it is confusing!)
Say whilst in London, perhaps visiting the Chelsea Cruise or Ace Cafe (and wanting to take-in a show or have a meal in the West End) - remain in London after 12pm (travelling home in the early hours) and you'll pay a further £12.50.
As from October 2021 the ULEZ zone (not Congestion Charge Zone) expands out to the A206 North and South Circular roads. So travel around the North and South Circular roads at any time and you'll be fine. Veer off and venture in to the central zone - pay £15.00.......any time of day or night.
In addition you'll need to add any parking charges, fuel of course (probably quite a bit as you will be travelling in even more highly congested traffic driving past the largely empty cycle lanes.........
If you have a vehicle that is 'Historic' (i.e 40 years old or more) then it is theoretically exempt from the £15 ULEZ charge (but not Congestion Charge) I say 'theoretical' as in order to get the exemption you need to register your car on TFL's website.
So get it badly wrong and your London 'visit' could cost you £40 in TFL charges alone........