Motorists in the capital are set to encounter a significant increase in traffic monitoring, with new automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras being installed on busy roads. The move, approved by London Councils, aims to bolster enforcement of the long-standing London Lorry Control Scheme (LLCS), with drivers of heavy goods vehicles now facing potential fines of up to £550.
Modernising Lorry Control Enforcement
London Councils’ Executive Member for Transport and Environment, Mayor Brenda Dacres OBE, stated that the introduction of ANPR technology represents a major step forward. "The introduction of ANPR cameras will help the London Lorry Control Scheme make use of modern technology," she explained. This shift is designed to support enforcement officers and increase overall compliance across the city, aiming for a cleaner and quieter urban environment.
How the New Camera System Will Work
The ANPR cameras will be strategically deployed on specific routes where enforcement is deemed most necessary. Officials have selected these locations after analysing traffic patterns, historical issues with non-compliance, and current operational priorities. To ensure a smooth transition, hauliers will receive warning notices for each new camera location, with these notices being displayed for a two-week period before active enforcement begins.
Dacres emphasised that the technological upgrade will allow for more consistent, efficient, and fair enforcement. A key goal is to minimise overnight disruption caused by non-compliant lorries, thereby improving the quality of life for London residents.
Substantial Fines for Non-Compliance
The financial penalties for breaking the rules are substantial. While the scheme has operated since 1985, it was decriminalised in April 2004. Under the current civil penalty regime, operators can be charged a penalty charge notice of £550. Individual drivers found to be in violation face a separate fine of £130, although this is reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days.
The legal basis for the scheme stems from the Greater London (Restriction of Goods Vehicles) Traffic Order 1985, with enforcement powers provided by the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003. The rollout of ANPR cameras marks the latest chapter in the scheme's history, leveraging digital technology to manage London's complex freight traffic and protect its communities from noise and pollution during night-time hours.
