Mobile cameras could be used to plug “rat runs” in outer London where drivers think they can avoid the Ulez expansion, Sadiq Khan has revealed.
At least 200 new Ulez cameras are known to have been vandalised – sparking concerns about the ability of Transport for London to enforce the mayor’s clean air zone.
Mr Khan said TfL would no longer provide details of how many cameras had been vandalised as he said there was a “danger of inadvertently giving [vandals] the oxygen of publicity”.
But he sought to downplay concerns that drivers seeking to evade the £12.50 levy would be able to work out routes where they could not be detected.
Referring to TfL’s previous use of mobile cameras to enforce the congestion charge scheme in central London, Mr Khan told Mayor’s Question Time: “In previous schemes, with the C-charge and the Ulez… there was the possibility for there to be mobile cameras as well.”
He was asked by Peter Fortune, a Tory member of the London Assembly, for an update on the extent of Ulez camera vandalism, and whether it would be “feasible” for TfL to enforce the Ulez rules across all 33 boroughs as a result.
Mr Khan said TfL was “very confident” it would be able to enforce the Greater London expansion from August 29.
He told Mr Fortune: “If that was your concern in relation to loopholes or routes, it’s not their first rodeo. They have done this before.”
He said a “small” number of people had been vandalising the cameras. Two had been charged with vandalism offences and faced a court hearing, he said.
TfL is aiming to install 2,750 more cameras before the Ulez expands on August 29 – though the “go live” date could be delayed if the High Court finds Mr Khan broke the law or exceeded his powers. A judgement is expected before the end of July.
Mr Khan said: “Having taken advice from policing partners and others, TfL has taken the position that it will not be releasing information about the number of cameras that have been subjected to criminal damage.”
TfL has been using “cherry picker” lorries to erect the cameras at heights out of reach of vandals. Previously the cameras had been mounted on the top of traffic signals.
Mr Khan said: “The number of cameras that TfL originally planned to have by the day of ‘go live’, they still are confident they will have by the date of ‘go live’. They are confident they will get to the number they need to get to by August 29.”
TfL has sought to keep the precise location of the cameras secret. But opponents of the Ulez expansion have shared details on Facebook groups.
Earlier this month, the High Court was told that TfL refused to publish camera locations in a bid to deter vandals.
“Unfortunately, people have a hobby of tearing down the cameras,” TfL’s barrister Ben Jaffey KC told the judicial review hearing brought by five Tory councils seeking to block the expansion.
“If the exact location of the cameras is mapped, their survival time is greatly reduced.”
