Introduced in February 2008, the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is the second road charging scheme to be introduced by Ken Livingstone as Mayor of London, following the Congestion Charge (CC) in February 2002.
While the CC was simply intended to restrict the number of private vehicles within a certain area, the LEZ claims to reduce vehicle emissions across the Greater London area, promising a measurable improvement in air quality. Its opponents claim it will damage business and that the improvement in air quality would happen without the £130m scheme.
What happens if I don't pay?
If payment is not made by midnight on the next business day following the journey into the LEZ, TfL will issue a Penalty Charge Notice. The penalties vary depending on the size of the vehicle but can be up to £1,000. The first time a vehicle enters the zone without payment, TfL may send a warning letter instead. TfL also has the authority to clamp persistent offenders.
TfL claims to thoroughly follow up all cases involving vehicles from outside the UK. However, press reports of its record in chasing Congestion Charge fines on foreign vehicles suggest that its success rate for this may not be very high.
Vehicle owners are entitled to challenge a penalty charge notice through a formal procedure and an appeal process is available if TfL's response to a challenge is unsatisfactory.
With thanks to Mark Woolley for information on this page.
