Coronavirus: London Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) suspended

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that the London Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will be suspended due to the Coronavirus outbreak to ensure that London's critical workers are able to travel round London in the way that best suits them.

The suspension, which applies to lorries, vans and cars, will remain in effect in the capital "until further notice". It will come into effect so that none of the charges are in operation from Monday 23 March. 
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has asked for this move to ensure London's critical workers, particularly those in the NHS, are able to travel round London as easily as possible during this national emergency. It also supports the supply chain, the effort to keep supermarkets fully stocked and the city's continued operation.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "People should not be travelling, by any means, unless they really have to. London's roads should now only be used for essential journeys. To help our critical workers get to work and for essential deliveries to take place, I have instructed TfL to temporarily suspend the Congestion Charge, ULEZ and Low Emission Zone from Monday.

"This is not an invitation to take to your cars. To save lives we need the roads clear for ambulances, doctors, nurses and other critical workers. This is an unprecedented time and I know Londoners are doing everything they can to look after each other. I continue to urge all Londoners to follow the advice of public health authorities and not leave their homes unless it is absolutely essential."

NHS workers will also be given a code that waives the 24 hour access fee for Santander Cycles, meaning any journey under 30 minutes is free. In addition to free access, docking stations near hospitals are being prioritised to ensure there is a regular supply of bikes for medical staff to use.Government advice is that people need to limit social contact and travel should only be undertaken if absolutely necessary. The roads need to be kept clear for the emergency services and critical workers who need to get around by car. Drivers are asked to consider the wider implications when thinking about using their vehicles.

Paul Cowperthwaite, TfL's General Manager of Road User Charging, said: "What we are seeing through this crisis is that London's critical workforce is wider than just the core emergency services. Emergency services workers are absolutely fundamental to our response, but supermarket workers, utilities engineers, refuse collectors, and many more, also need to be able to travel to keep the city functioning. This is why we have temporarily suspended road user charging in the capital."

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