TfL suspends all road user charging schemes

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has asked Transport for London to suspend all road user charging schemes to ensure London's critical workers are able to travel round the capital in the way that best suits them.

This will come into effect so that none of the charges are in operation from Monday 23 March until further notice. It means that London's critical workers, particularly those in the NHS, are able to travel round London as easily as possible during this national coronavirus emergency.

Given some station closures in London, for some critical workers driving to work will be the simplest option, which is why the charges have been lifted.

In addition to this, NHS workers will 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.

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."