Motorists fuel TfL surplus funds as traffic fines spike by 50 per cent to help raise millions

The report detailed how the money raised from fines was up more than 50 per cent from figures recorded in 2018/19 at £56.8million, PA reported.

The AA claimed that the rise in fines was in part due to the rollout of new CCTV cameras which captured more motoring offences as well as the increase in penalty charges from £130 to £160 in 2022.

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TfL monitors around 367 miles of red route roads in London with drivers fined a staggering £244,000 per mile on average last year.

Jack Cousens, AA head of roads policy, said: "Dick Whittington would now say that London’s streets are paved with fines.

"So massive is the income from road traffic enforcement on London’s red routes that to lose it would leave a huge black hole in TfL finances."

Drivers who fail to follow the signs and road markings face a hefty penalty for red route traffic offences which could be as much as £160, although halved to £80 if paid within 14 days.

The red routes monitor traffic violations for parking, loading, yellow box junctions, bus lanes, cycle lanes, banned turns, Blue Badge misuse and failure to stop on red lines.

TfL explained: “The network of major roads we manage, red routes - make up five per cent of London's roads but carry up to 30 per cent of the city's traffic.

“Red routes help reduce congestion and ensure crucial deliveries and journeys can be made safely to keep the city moving.”

The draft annual report found that due to the high number of fines, TfL made £138million in surplus funds last year.

Siwan Hayward, TfL’s director of security, policing and enforcement, said: “We are committed to keeping London moving safely and efficiently, and reducing delays on London’s red routes, which is also essential to ensuring a reliable bus network for everyone.

“Compliance on red routes is vital in achieving these aims, and non-compliance disrupts traffic – creating congestion and safety risks for everyone – and impacts London’s air quality.”

She added that the number of drivers who receive more than one penalty for re-offences “remains relatively low”.

However, Cousens argued that drivers still end up spending time and money to appeal a ticket even if they were in the right.

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He commented: “Another concern is that around 90 per cent of paid fines are coughed up by drivers within 14 days to get the half-rate and cut their losses, even if they have doubts about them.

“It would seem that TfL banks on that behaviour, rejecting representations and saying that ‘if you don’t like it take it to appeal – where in most cases we won’t contest it’.”