Fines on major routes bring £89m to TfL

London roads are being described as “paved with fines” as income from penalty charge notices (PCNs) has risen by 57% over five years, the AA said. TfL has received £89.3 million in the 2023-24 financial year for perceived offences along its red route network. This is up from £56.8 million in the 2018-19 period, its draft annual report has found.

The AA has accused the transport authority of relying on drivers to break rules for its income to be maintained. TfL however has said that it was “essential” that traffic can move “safely and efficiently” on its network, adding that the fines are supposed to be a deterrent.

The AA said that the increase in new and more sophisticated CCTV cameras as well as TfL’s decision in January 2022 to uplift the value of PCNs from £130 to £160 were the reasons for the rise.

TfL had issued PCNs for violations along red routes involving bus lanes, yellow box junctions, banned turns, stopping, and parking. It often relied on CCTV cameras for evidence. Around 367 miles of 590km of London’s roads are red routes. This means that there has been an average of nearly £244,000 per mile in 2023-24.

“Dick Whittington would now say that London’s streets are paved with fines,” AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said. “So massive is the income from road traffic enforcement on London’s red routes that to lose it would leave a huge black hole in TfL finances. It seems TfL may need drivers to offend and generate income instead of complying with road rules.”

The draft annual report has also indicated that TfL made an operating surplus of £138 million in the past financial year.

“We are committed to keeping London moving safely and efficiently, and reducing delays on London’s red routes, which is also essential to ensuring a reliable bus network for everyone,” Siwan Hayward, TfL’s director of security, policing and enforcement, said. Compliance on red routes is “vital in achieving these aims,” she said.