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With the deadline looming for the start of the new Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) – covering all the Greater London boroughs (which is a massive area), I have become aware from online groups that a frenzy of activity is taking place right now with the erection of ULEZ cameras in all these boroughs. And not just during the daylight hours, some are being installed during darkness.
I don’t know exactly how many cameras will be installed from now to the end of August when the ULEZ system goes ‘live’, but I can tell you it must be in the thousands.
Consider this – each camera costs between £10,000-£15,000 to supply and install. Most of the ULEZ cameras are attached to existing traffic lights.
A consultation on the London-wide ULEZ proposals took place between May and July 2022 with the expansion approved by the Mayor of London in November 2022. However, even before the consultation started, Transport for London (TfL) took steps to prepare for the contingency of an approved scheme by placing orders for critical components and materials that have long lead-in times. Orders were placed from April 2022 on terms that allowed TfL to cancel orders or reuse the equipment elsewhere.
I guess that had to happen as how else could TfL get all these cameras made in time. The cameras are a critical part of the scheme – they capture all vehicle numberplates and check against a TfL database to see if your vehicle is ULEZ compliant. If it isn’t you pay £12.50 per day, every day, except Christmas Day.
There has been strong backlash in some affected areas, with many newlyinstalled cameras vandalised by cutting the new cabling routed freely from an existing traffic light to the camera. A few cameras have also disappeared or ended up on the ground, which at the moment aren’t being replaced, possibly due to the cost.
It’s all a bit crazy if you ask me, because even on the radio advert promoting the benefits of a working ULEZ scheme (cleaner air, etc), it mentions that four out of five cars are already compliant! So, all this money is being spent on cameras that will capture a small number of vehicles. Most motorists with non-compliant models will either sell or just avoid the zones if they can – especially those living just outside the London Boroughs. You’d just shop elsewhere and not venture into an
