Christmas 2009 congestion charge changes
December 23, 2009 by Martin Hoscik · 10 Comments
As in previous years, London’s congestion charge scheme will be suspended over the Christmas period, allowing drivers to enter the zone without penalty.
The Christmas non-charging period will be in effect from Friday 25 December until Friday 1 January inclusive. Normal charging resumes from Monday 4 January 2010.
Drivers are being advised by Transport for London that restrictions on the use of red routes, yellow box junctions, bus lanes, banned turns and loading bays remain in effect and will be enforced at all times.
Detailed travel advice for the festive period can be found on TFL’s website or by downloading their recently published travel guide.
I think it is very unfortunate that the congestion charge is enforced on Christmas Eve, particularly given the recent transport disruption due to the weather. With the considerable improvement in road conditions today, it is likely that many people will be trying to get to their Christmas holiday destination. If this involves having to cross London from North to South (or vice versa), many drivers are likely to use the only route that allows them to avoid paying the charge, i.e. via Vauxhall. As this is congested enough at any time, this can only add to the stress that Londoners have already experienced in the last few days when trying to move around their city.
A little more thought, combined with some flexibility from your Office, would have helped to alleviate this.
Valerie Ward
i dont think there should be any congestion charges full stop. tfl simply cant get the tubes running correctly let alone should be charging to enter london. i cant think of one single day where tubes are not overcrowded or signal failures etc so id sooner travel by car you can never get a seat anyway. i could go on and on. as for congestion why should we pay for being stuck in it everyday anyway. tfl get your act together then there probably wont be any congestion.
Have just received a congestion charge notice(28/01/2010) dated 25/01/2010 for being in the zone on 24/12/2009(Christmas Eve)five weeks after the offence took place.It’s bad enough that the charge is being made on Christmas Eve, but far worse is the delay in sending me the penalty charge notice,I have no idea what I was doing on that day so it makes it impossible for me to know if it was mine or another vehicle with my cloned number plate.
I agree totally with disgusted Nick. I have received a congestion charge notice today for being in the zone on the 24/12/2009. I am still trying to work out why we were there on that day.
Christmas Eve is the main Christmas travel day for thousands travelling to see their families. The congestion charge should have been suspended, how many people have been caught out by this ?
I have just received my fine for driving in the zone on the 24th December 2009!
I was driving from south London to the north, The reason I decided to take my car was because the whole Tube and train system’s shut down to a very weak service over christmas, Its to unpredictable to try and plan your journey using public transport at best of time let alone over Christmas!!
I say we all stand up and fight this! we need to get in touch with a news paper and find out how many of us have received this late FINE from TFL.
Please comment….
I’ve just received a penalty notice and now realised that I should have checked but ss it was Christmas Eve, I stupidly presumed that there would be no charge – especially as it was in the afternoon. I had to drive into London to pick up my son from Kings Cross. I think if you do stray in by mistake then they should contact you straight away so you can pay the normal amount, not a £60 penalty…..I was trying to save money by picking up my son – didn’t work out that way!!!
I myself just received a congestion charge through the door, Christmas eve mid afternoon. It’s a bloody joke that TTL use this process to pay for there over extortionate wages and crap service.
Viva la revolution and get rid of all congestion charging
I’ve also just received a penalty for Christmas Eve. I went to collect a new bike for my son so had to drive, and I’m sure I checked the sign and saw the charge was suspended. Far too late now to be able to prove this of course – why has it taken so long to contact me?? I will definitely be making a complaint – what else can you do?
Just received today a penalty charge for £60 for driving in congestion charge on the 24/12/09 at 3.30 and honestly though that on christmas eve afternoon this would be free. Like Hazel said, we should have been contacted to pay the normal congestion charge and not getting a fine a month later for £60. Anyone who has been unfortunate like us should complain to London Transport. I feel a bit better about this thinking that on this day as I was dropping a colleague who was not feeling well in Goswell road, at least this saved her the money for paying a cab to get hom and it was a good action I made for christmas not a rip off.