Fewer motorists fined for dodging C-charge

A dramatic fall in the number of drivers fined for evading the congestion charge is revealed today.

More than 8,000 drivers were being fined each day a year ago. Now, new figures from Transport for London show only 6,000 are being fined daily.

The number of motorists challenging congestion charge fines has also dropped sharply.

When the scheme started more than six in 10 fines were contested by motorists, compared with only two in 10 today. The number of drivers taking their challenge to independent adjudicators at the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service has halved from four per cent to two per cent.

Today TfL officials said compliance was improving thanks to the increased threat of action by bailiffs and the likelihood of offenders' vehicles being clamped or towed away.

A TfL spokesman said: "The proportion of 'accurate' penalties has risen, offsetting the fall in total fines. The fine has also risen from ?80 to ?100."

The review found that improvements to traffic flow continued last year and 50 per cent of residents inside the zone say travelling around is easier. Exhaust emissions inside the zone have fallen by about 12 per cent.