Transport for London (TfL) is moving forward with plans to increase the level of the penalty charge for road contraventions from £130 to £160.

Between 5 August and 19 September 2021, TfL held a public consultation on the proposal to increase the fine level for the first time since 2011 in line with inflation.

Penalty charge notices (PCNs) are issued to the small number of drivers who fail to follow the rules on London's network of red routes, putting the safety of themselves and other road users at risk and causing disruption and delays on some of the capital's busiest and most important roads.

The penalty charge will still be reduced by 50 per cent if paid within 14 days and increased by 50 per cent if paid after 28 days.

Overall, there has been a 26 per cent increase in the number of PCNs issued for parking, loading, bus lane and moving traffic offences between 2016 and 2019.

The penalty charge level increase is being introduced to deter contraventions of the road rules and support TfL's Vision Zero aims to reduce road danger, improve public transport reliability and increase active travel.   

TfL also recently announced that it intends to make its trial of 24-hour bus lanes permanent, after a trial found that extending bus lane hours on London's busiest roads cut journey times and helped reliability, making bus use more attractive and helping to encourage more Londoners onto buses.

Siwan Hayward, TfL's Director of Compliance, Policing, Operations and Security, said:  “We are committed to keeping London moving safely and efficiently, and compliance on the Transport for London Road Network is essential in achieving those aims.

“Non-compliance impacts London's air quality, creates safety risks, disrupts traffic and creates congestion for everyone. Increasing the penalty charge for contraventions on our road network in line with inflation will provide a more effective deterrent to drivers and improve the safety and reliability of the network.”