As a professional driver working the streets of London, you by now must know about the ULEZ expansion due to take place on 29 August 2023.

But recently TfL has started facing an issue with the ULEZ expansion plans.  Currently, TfL owns around 5% of the roads in London and the majority are owned by the 32 London Boroughs.  Some of these London boroughs are using their local powers to oppose the expansion by not allowing TfL to fit their ANPR cameras which are vital to the ULEZ operating in those areas.  TfL needs the permission of these boroughs to install the new ANPR cameras, but boroughs such as Harrow, Hillingdon, Croydon and Bexley have formally opposed the plans.  This could mean that other boroughs may join them and do the same.

The planned ULEZ expansion for 2023 currently looks like this.

As the time for ULEZ 2023 expansion is near, there is a chance that TfL may have to further delay the expansion plans while they negotiate with the opposing boroughs.

One of the arguments TfL has put forward to these boroughs is that if they oppose and other boroughs nearby agree, then drivers may opt to drive through the boroughs who don’t have the ANPR to avoid the ULEZ charge and in turn causing more congestion and pollution in those boroughs.

Update: 29/01/2023

It looks like the Mayor of London may have given in on the pressure applied by boroughs and the 2023 ULEZ extension plans may be delayed with new grace periods being announced tomorrow.  We will write an updated blog about the new ULEZ grace periods and ULEZ scrappage scheme 2023.