About London Lorry Control Scheme

The ins and outs

Often referred to as the Lorry Ban. Restrictions are in place on the use of heavy goods vehicles to help minimise noise pollution in residential areas during unsocial hours through restricted use of these roads. The Lorry Control Scheme takes the form of controls on the movement of any heavy goods vehicles over 18 tonnes maximum gross weight at night and weekends within the red boundary on the site map.

Terminology

The permitted road network (highlighted roads) is often referred to as the "Excluded Roads" or "Excluded Route Network" (ERN).

The Scheme is administered by London Councils and failure to have a permit or breaching the permit conditions (for example, using the wrong route) are contraventions for which you could receive a penalty charge notice (PCN), and using an unapproved route within the area during the period of restriction (see above) is also a contravention.

Permit required?

If you need to drive any vehicle over 18 tonnes within the restricted area (excluding the bold highlighted roads) within the time restrictions below you need to apply for a permit for the vehicle. Permits need to be displayed on the windscreen of each vehicle. Permits are free and applications should be downloaded from www.londonlorrycontrol.com or requested by writing to: 'London Councils' 'Lorry Control Unit', New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4TE.

Times of restriction and charge

• Monday - Friday: 9pm - 7am (including 9pm Friday night to 7am Saturday morning).
• Saturday: 1pm - 7am Monday morning.

Journey Approvals within the Scheme area

Journeys off the highlighted route network (ERN) within the restricted area and within the restriction times above require prior approval by the Lorry Control Unit. Routes can be submitted within the Permit application or online via www.londonlorrycontrol.com

If part of a journey needs to be made on restricted roads then use of these roads must be kept to a minimum. In general, this will mean travelling to the closest point on the ERN then using the shortest direct route to the destination. Similarly, if the starting point of a route is on a restricted road then the shortest route must be taken from there to the ERN. This is a requirement of the scheme even if it means that the total journey length will be longer. Approval for routes on restricted roads must be submitted prior to the journey taking place. The penalty charge is currently £550 for hauliers and £120 for drivers. These charges are reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days.

The London Lorry Control scheme is maintained by London Councils. Contact the London Lorry Control team at:

lorry.control@londoncouncils.gov.uk
Tel. 020 7747 4770
Fax 020 7930 2719