Forum Topic

ULEZ Cameras in Chiswick

I've just been looking at the ULEZ autopay statement of an elderly neighbour. I set it up for them because they were uncertain as to how they should do it. They felt that, given how little they used their aged and non-compliant car, it wasn't worth investing in a new vehicle and I told them I didn't think they would be charged just for going to the shops.However, this was completely wrong. They have used the car twice over the Christmas period and been charged twice, once on Acton Lane and once on the High Road. So it looks very much like there are lots of cameras within the zone connected up to the ULEZ system.They are not on the breadline and these extra charges are not going to lead to them starving. They only use the car to go to the shops and the occasional trip to the river or Chiswick House but it will be a very unwelcome extra expense for a couple on a fixed income. For anyone else who was hoping to run a car and not pay the charge as long as they didn't leave the zone, this looks like a forlorn hope.

Anita Blake ● 1722d22 Comments

Sorry but the guidance is clear that you are charged for driving within the zone, it would go against the concept of it if charges are only for entering the zone.

Phil Spivey ● 1722d

That may be the case Phil but many people on low incomes or who rarely used their car were hoping that short trips in the local area would not incur a charge. This looks as though it is wrong and they now face significantly increased costs for use of their car or a requirement to buy a new one.

Anita Blake ● 1722d

I have a little used old car as well. Given the cost of road tax (£300 plus a year, insurance, £200, parking permit,£80, annual service and MoT another £200) it's clearly time I let it go.It's a wrench but the £12 a time ULEZ charge means using taxis or Ubers has to be more economical. Certainly better than incurring the depreciation on a newer car.

David McLoughlin ● 1722d

We use our car once a week for shopping, don't want to sell it and it would be less expensive to only use it once or twice a week rather then buy a more expensive model.

Caroline MacMillan ● 1722d

It may be that extra cameras have been place across the Chiswick area and other parts of London just inside the zone to plug the holes in the outer limits of the zone. Understandable from TfL's point of view that they would do this but not particularly fair on people who can't afford a new car in these difficult times and were hoping that local trips could still be done.We made the decision to upgrade beforehand. As far as I can work out, because we bought a bigger car to accommodate a relative who is becoming wheelchair bound, the new compliant vehicle has higher emissions than the older non-compliant one. Given that for most cars there are more emissions created in the making of it than in the driving of it if the owner has reasonably low mileage, the notion that the ULEZ helps save the planet is demonstrably false.One good piece of advice I was given was to not buy a new car but lease. The revenue that TfL gets from the ULEZ will progressively fall as the number of non-compliant vehicles drops so buying a car that meets the standard now means you may face the same problem in a few years when the exemption requirements are raised again.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1722d

I'd suggest that the little twerps 2024 re-election campaign will feature more misery for diesel vehicle owners. He needs the money it will raise

peter king ● 1721d

Where are the nearest car clubs?  That is another option apart from giving up your car and shopping online or taking your trolley shopping:https://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/documents/s25146/Car%20Club%20map.pdf

Philippa Bond ● 1719d

In 4 years time the ULEZ standards will change again in London

Julian Pavey ● 1719d

Not a problm for me, my 'rolling coal' exhaust means my number plate is permanently obscured anyway.

Bob Roberts ● 1719d

I had a large Honda people carrier that I had had for 22 years and planned to keep. Paying the ULEZ for 1 or 2 trips a week was cheaper than replacing it and the move to electric doesn't seem sensible yet. Unfortunately some low life cut the catalytic converter off the exhaust and wrecked the door and cill in the process so it had to be scrapped. I now have to find something to replace it. Maybe an old non compliant estate car. Anyone know anyone selling one?

david ward ● 1718d

the arrogant little twerp mayor is more concerned about his ego than helping businesses and people on low incomes etc... horrible man with horrible decisions. just goes to show the thinking of the people who voted for this little person, whose soundbite mentality is his only attribute to society.

C James ● 1717d

There are 63 estate cars on autotrader for under £2000, all ULEZ compliant  and all within 100 miles of Chiswick, many much closer. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=distance&postcode=w41nn&radius=100&include-delivery-option=on&price-to=2000&body-type=Estate&ulez-compliant=on

David Turner ● 1717d

We did the same and traded in our much loved old non-compliant diesel for an identical just as old petrol version through a dealer outside London who was happy to take our old diesel and sell it on. So the net emissions remain the same.

Peter Evans ● 1717d

“ Not a problm for me, my 'rolling coal' exhaust means my number plate is permanently obscured anyway.”Or you can buy spray which prevents your number plates from being photographed !

Steve Taylor ● 1717d

Last summer I walked down Brick Lane and noticed a lot of the Sunday traders would need to replace their vans or be caught by ULEZ charges.I expect those living along the North and South Circular are noticing more traffic since ULEZ came in.

Chris Lucy ● 1717d

London isn't the only UK city trying to clean up its air and reduce transport.  Or the only world city.  We all need clean air and it rather tends to move around...There was a Demand Responsive Travel trial which was in Ealing and Sutton which I believe had to be cut short because of the pandemic.  Hopefully that will eventually be started up again.  This kind of transport exists all over the world. Did you know about it?https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/demand-responsive-bus-service

Philippa Bond ● 1717d

“ Sunday traders would need to replace their vans or be caught by ULEZ charges”Nah, they can just use fake plates on Sundays.

Steve Taylor ● 1716d

I seriously don't understand ULEZ.  I have a Ferrari 612, V12 5.7l, which will do about 8mpg, yes 8!  Its from 2006 and got it to become a classic rather than an everyday runabout.  I barely do any miles in it so it doesn't pollute the world much at all, even though I have to pay £600 per year road tax.  When ULEZ was coming in I checked.  My 2010 BMW 2 litre diesel which does 60mpg did not comply and I had to replace it.  The ferrari meets ULEZ! HOW?? how can it possibly meet ULEZ?

Nik Solomon ● 1716d

Because ULEZ doesn't have much to do with CO2 emissions but does have a lot to do with NO emissions. Presumably the Ferrari puts out less NO/km than the Diesel does.

Andrew Jones ● 1716d

Because diesel is bad. Petrol is OK?  Are any petrol vehicles non compliant?

Steve Taylor ● 1715d

Yes, there are non-compliant petrol vehicles, but far fewer than diesel because all petrol vehicles had to conform to the minimum standards by 2006, while for Diesel vehicles it was 2016 (as Diesel is inherently 'dirtier')

Andrew Jones ● 1715d

ULEZ probably relies on the assumption that many London motorists won't change their non-compliant vehicles thus ensuring mayoralty and TfL coffers are comfortably filled daily ~ notwithstanding it's all a nonsense allowing pollution to continue so long as the fine is paid.

Bobbie Carnegie ● 1715d