ULEZ Cameras: All You Need to Know About London's Low Emission Zone Enforcement.

What are ULEZ cameras and how do they work?

Launched in central London in 2019 and expanded to encompass all boroughs in August 2023, the Ultra Low Emission Zone was allegedly set up to tackle air pollution by deterring high-polluting vehicles from entering the zone.

Enforced by a network of strategically placed Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, also known as ULEZ cameras, the system operates 24/7, 365 days a year.

The cost to obtain and erect these cameras is approximately £75 MILLION POUNDS and the signs alone cost a further $5MILLIONPOUNDS. Click the links for more info

Here's how it works:

The cameras capture your vehicle's license plate when entering or exiting the zone.
The plate is checked against a database to determine if your vehicle meets ULEZ emission standards.
Non-compliant vehicles incur a daily charge currently set at £12.50 (subject to change).

Where are the cameras located?

While Transport for London (TfL) doesn't publish an official list of camera locations, estimates suggest there are over 3400 cameras across London. Here is the most up to date map that I could find, showing the position of the cameras. click on the image to find out more.

These cameras are primarily positioned:

Along the zone perimeter, including major roads like the A406 and A205.
On key entry points into central London.
Within the ULEZ zone itself.

How much money do these cameras raise in fines?

In 2022 for example, the scheme generated 224 MILLION POUNDS. (Click the figure to find out more)

Sadiq Khan (the current Mayor of London as I write) states that the focus of the ULEZ scheme is not on generating income but on improving air quality in London. He states that the revenue is used to fund further transport initiatives, including:

Public transport improvements
Schemes to encourage cycling and walking
Measures to support businesses switching to cleaner vehicles

Now, let's go through that.

The recent controversial scheme to change the name of some London Tube lines has apparently cost well over 7 MILLION POUNDS (click the link to read more)

The planned expansion to the ULEZ scheme that is planned for August 2024 is estimated to cost between £130 - £140 MILLION POUNDS (click the link to read more)

STOP PRESS: Sadiq Khan has, to date, spent £21 MILLION POUNDS setting up a pay-per-mile scheme for London, with the resultant costs, and punishing drivers even more. This info was obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. Mr Khan denies any knowledge of this project, called Project Detroit. Khan is actually the Chairman of Transport for London (TFL), so surely he has to know about it?

Project Detroit now employs over 250 staff, and the project is expected to cost £150 MILLION POUNDS.

Here is Sadiq Khan being quizzed about it - listen to his responses:

Here's why I believe that Project Detroit will take over from, and dwarf ULEZ:

The monies generated by ULEZ will start to dwindle. Project Detroit will bring in far in excess of any money that ULEZ ever did, or ever will.

ULEZ continued

Do I need to pay the charges?

You can check if your vehicle meets ULEZ standards using the TfL website checker tool. Daily charges apply to non-compliant vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, vans, and minibuses.

Thinking of driving into London? Here are some key takeaways:

Check your vehicle's compliance before entering the zone.
ULEZ cameras operate 24/7 throughout the year.
The daily charge for non-compliant vehicles is currently £12.50.
Revenue generated from ULEZ helps fund clean air initiatives in London.

Blade Runners

To date, the 'Blade Runners' (a group of people against ULEZ who destroy or steal cameras) have managed to disable/destroy/steal around 300 of these cameras. I cannot find out the cost of a camera as it seems to be a closely guarded secret.

Summary

This is only the beginning - what will undoubtedly follow is more penalties on drivers traversing over pothole-strewn roads, navigating 15-minute cities, and so on.

In my view, if Khan had really wanted to reduce pollution in London, is that instead of cameras, he should have had trees erected.

This would accomplish far more than the ULEZ system ever will, and has several benefits:

Cleaner air

No cost or burden on drivers

Streets and roads that are pleasant to walk down or drive through

Vastly reduced cost

So basically everyone as usual is being taken for a ride if you will excuse the pun. It's not so much 'ULEZ' as 'U LIE' Mr Khan.

Footnote: I don't go to London. I live in beautiful Norfolk. I just get enraged by this kind of punishing activity on people, by those in power - and there seems to be nothing that we, the public can do to prevent it.

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