Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has initiated a significant escalation in the enforcement of Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) regulations, as new data reveals millions of drivers continue to evade penalties.
Scale of ULEZ Non-Compliance Revealed
According to figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request, 2.9 million outstanding ULEZ penalty charge notices remain unpaid despite extensive enforcement efforts by Transport for London. The controversial scheme, introduced in 2019 to combat air pollution in the capital, continues to face widespread resistance from motorists.
The transport authority has passed more than 4.1 million warrants to enforcement agents, yet the vast majority of fines remain uncollected. For ULEZ specifically, 2,934,089 penalty charge notices remain outstanding from warrants issued to enforcement agents, while the separate Low Emission Zone adds another 19,564 unpaid penalties.
Tougher Enforcement Measures Implemented
Transport for London is now adopting a more aggressive approach to enforcement, including greater use of civil action. In the most extreme cases, this could lead to bankruptcy proceedings for individuals or businesses who refuse to settle their debts. Alternatively, TfL could seek to recover earnings directly from an individual's employer.
Alex Williams, TfL's chief customer and strategy officer, stated: "Most drivers who have vehicles that are liable for the charge are responsible and pay it. It is only a small group of persistent evaders who fail to do so."
Consequences for Persistent Offenders
The enforcement process has seen 4,367,728 ULEZ fines advanced to Orders for Recovery, with 4,110,555 reaching the warrant stage requiring enforcement agent intervention. The Low Emission Zone shows a similar pattern, with 71,004 penalties issued resulting in 32,871 warrants to enforcement agents.
Williams issued a stark warning to those ignoring their penalties: "There is a risk that your vehicle and other items of property will be removed. If you're ignoring it because you are facing financial difficulties, please instead engage with our staff."
The ULEZ scheme has remained highly contentious since its expansion, with these latest figures highlighting the ongoing challenge TfL faces in ensuring compliance with the pollution-reducing initiative.
