London drivers facing further costs

Drivers in London could soon face even steeper expenses in the capital, after it was announced that Transport for London has launched a consultation to raise the cost of fines on red routes by £30.

This would see fines on red routes rise from £130 to £160. Although the city’s red routes make up just five per cent of roads in London, they carry more than 30% of its traffic.

The news comes just days after it was announced that the temporary rise in the Congestion Charge will now be permanent.

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “Only last week, the Mayor announced hikes to the Congestion Charge, and now he follows this up with an unnecessary hike in the penalty charge level.

“The previous levy should have been a sufficient enough deterrent to prevent contraventions, so this rise appears to be nothing more than a money-grab. It’s starting to feel like the Mayor of London is waging a war on drivers and businesses that rely on their vehicles with another eye-watering hike.”

The consultation, being held on TfL’s website, will run until 19 September.