Urban congestion

Congestion in urban areas leads to

• longer journey times
• frustration
• pollution through standing and slow-moving traffic.

London suffers the worst traffic congestion in the UK and amongst the worst in Europe. Various measures have been introduced to try to reduce the congestion and make traffic flow more freely. Red Routes and congestion charging are two of the schemes initiated in the London area. These are also being introduced into other congested towns and cities.

Transport strategy

A wide range of other measures have been designed to make public transport easier, cheaper, faster and more reliable.

If it isn’t necessary to make your journey by car, you might want to consider alternative forms of transport.

For London, the Transport for London (TfL) journey planner (tfl.gov.uk) can help you discover the quickest and easiest routes for your journey using public transport. Alternatively, you can call TfL’s Travel Information Call Centre on 0343 222 1234.

Red Routes

Red Routes keep traffic moving and reduce the pollution that comes from vehicle emissions. Stopping and parking are allowed only within marked boxes.

Overnight and on Sundays most controls are relaxed to allow unrestricted stopping.

There’s a fixed penalty for an offence and illegally parked vehicles may be towed away.

There are five main types of Red Route markings.

Double red lines

Stopping isn’t allowed at any time, for any reason. These lines are normally placed at road junctions or where parking or loading would be dangerous or cause serious congestion.

Single red lines

Parking, loading or picking up passengers isn’t allowed during the day (generally 7 am to 7 pm). Stopping is allowed outside these hours and on Sundays.

Red boxes

These indicate that parking or loading is permitted during the day at off-peak times, normally 10 am to 4 pm. Some boxes allow loading and some allow parking; the rules in each case are clearly shown on the sign.

White boxes

Parking or loading is allowed throughout the day, subject to restrictions shown on the sign.

Red Route clearway

There are no road markings but clearway signs indicate that stopping isn’t allowed at any time, apart from in marked lay-bys.

Congestion charging

Congestion charging is a way of ensuring that those using valuable and congested road space make a financial contribution. It encourages the use of other modes of transport and is also intended to ensure that journey times are quicker and more reliable for those who have to use the roads.

The London scheme requires drivers to pay if they wish to drive in central London during the scheme’s hours of operation.

Extent of zone

Traffic signs make it very clear when you’re approaching, entering and leaving the charging zone. Advance information is provided on the main approach roads. These signs advise how far ahead the zone starts and the hours of operation, and some give the amount of the charge.

As you approach the charging zone, directional signs indicate which routes take you into the charging zone and which you can take if you wish to avoid it.

As you enter and exit the zone, signs indicate the boundary of the zone.

The sign on entry also gives hours of operation.

Paying and exemptions

You can pay the congestion charge

• in advance or on the day of travel before, during or after your journey
• daily, weekly, monthly or even for the whole year.

To find out more about how to pay and where you can pay, visit tfl.gov.uk or call 0343 222 2222.

At midnight, images of all the vehicles that have been in the charging zone are checked against the registration numbers of vehicles that have paid their congestion charge for that day. The computer keeps the registration numbers of vehicles that should have paid but haven’t done so. A penalty charge notice is issued to the registered keeper of the vehicle.

Not all drivers have to pay the charge. Those who are exempt include

• disabled people who hold a Blue Badge
• riders of two-wheelers.

There are also exemptions for low- or no-emission vehicles. To check whether your vehicle qualifies, visit tfl.gov.uk

Residents living within the zone obtain a reduced rate but aren’t exempt unless their vehicle meets the minimum exemption requirement.

Some people may be able to claim reimbursement; for example, staff, firefighters and patients too ill to travel to an appointment on public transport.

Emission Zone London also operates an emissions zone for diesel vehicles with high carbon-dioxide outputs. The zone covers most of Greater London and operates for 24 hours a day, all year round. Charging days run from midnight to midnight, so if you entered the zone before midnight and were still driving through it at 1.30 am you’d need to pay the charge for both days. To see if your vehicle is affected by Low Emission Zone charges, visit tfl.gov.uk