Is the London congestion charge going up in 2022

A number of major changes are coming to the London Congestion Charge zone, with charging hours being changed, discounts taken away and announcements on price increases introduced during the pandemic- so is the Congestion Charge going up in 2022?

Changes are coming to the London Congestion Charge  (Credit: Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz)/Wikipedia)

With so many changes coming into effect, it is essential that anyone driving in London is aware of how they could impact them – with the possibility of fines of up to £160.

Here we take a look at the changes and when they are coming into force.

What is behind these changes?

TfL introduced a number of changes during the Covid-19 pandemic, which it claimed was to ensure that traffic was reduced so that essential journeys could take place against a backdrop of lockdowns and other restrictions linked to the pandemic.

What were the pandemic changes to the London Congestion Charge (CC)?

During the pandemic, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan increased the daily charge from £11.50 to £15 while also increasing the hours during which this higher charge was payable to include weekends and evenings.  

Why is TfL making more changes?

The authority is making changes, it says, to make permanent changes to the CC to prevent traffic in London from rising above pre-pandemic levels as the country eventually returns to a new ‘normal’.

What are the new Congestion Charge hours that came in on 21 February 2022?

From 21 February, there will be no charges for driving in the capital between 18.00 and 07.00 the following morning, while CC charging times for the weekend and bank holidays will be cut to 12.00 – 18.00.

Will the Congestion Charge fee be cut?

No. The new, higher charge of £15 will be retained and made permanent – which will result in a big rise for drivers who must pay to drive in the city compared with pre-pandemic charges.

London Congestion Charge changes overview

Query	Pre-Covid scheme up to 22 June 2020	Temporary Changes to the Congestion Charge from 22 June 2020	Permanent changes to the Congestion Charge
Charge level	£11.50	£15	£15
Auto Pay	£1 discount	No discount	No discount
Pay next day charge	£14 next day charge	£17.50 if paid up to three days after travel	£17.50 if paid up to three days after travel
Charging period	Mon - Fri, 0700-1800	Mon - Sun, 0700-2200	Mon - Fri, 0700-1800; Sat, Sun & bank holiday, 1200-1800
Non-charging days	Bank holidays and the days between Christmas Day and New Year's Day	Christmas Day	Christmas Day to New Year's Day bank holiday (inclusive)

 

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