London congestion zone

[blueyes]

The TFL London site isn't working so I thought I'd ask here.

I have to go to Earls Court from S.Wales on Tuesday, arriving at about 10am.
I know the area was extended last Feb but I've searched and can't find a map. Do I have to pay the charge?

Thanks

[vonhosen]

Earls Court is no in the congestion zone, but it's not far from it so don't stray too far East.

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://ww...

[blueyes]

Thanks von.

[Scraggles]

literally on the border, most of the roads have big red signs painted on the road, managed to slip into the zone once a few miles from there, not sure how i got in there, company paid the tax

[Gilbertd]

How does it work if you do drift into the zone then? I haven't bothered to drive into central London since before the tax came in so have no experience of it. However, next weekend I will be driving into London and may enter the zone. What am I supposed to do? Do I have to do anything beforehand or is it a simple check by ANPR and then a bill is sent afterwards?

[malc_ppp]

Ermm, nope, dont wait for a bill, it'll be a £100 fine.

If you do go in the zone, you need to pay before midnight (£8) or midnight the following day (£10). Easiest way is online but if you're unsure, call centre. You can even pay in most petrol stations and newsagents around London.

[7db]

I live in Earls Court.

It will depend on exactly where you are going. As previously posted, Earls Court is a border town.

You will likely approach on the A4. When you get to the big Tesco, you will need to be in the right hand lane to take the filter right at the lights Cromwell Road down into Earls Court Road. This will keep you outside of the zone as Earls court Road is a border road. Go east from there and you will be in.

If you are going to the exhibition, follow the Earls Court Road down to the Old Brompton Road (ONeils Pub on right hand side) and take a right at lights. Then right at next set of lights will take you up to main entrance of EC.

PM me if you need more info.

[jondude]

If you are not streetwise to London, check out 'Escape From New York', a 1980s film by John Carpenter.

Will tell you ALL you need to know about how to survive.....

[blueyes]

7db said:

I live in Earls Court.

It will depend on exactly where you are going. As previously posted, Earls Court is a border town.

You will likely approach on the A4. When you get to the big Tesco, you will need to be in the right hand lane to take the filter right at the lights Cromwell Road down into Earls Court Road. This will keep you outside of the zone as Earls court Road is a border road. Go east from there and you will be in.

If you are going to the exhibition, follow the Earls Court Road down to the Old Brompton Road (ONeils Pub on right hand side) and take a right at lights. Then right at next set of lights will take you up to main entrance of EC.

PM me if you need more info.

ah! we're going to the exhibition centre and usually turn right off Talgarth Road by the (famous 3 kings?) pub, left at the next roundabout, and then we end up with EC on our left. Is your way faster?

[Slaav]

malc_ppp said:

Ermm, nope, dont wait for a bill, it'll be a £100 fine.

If you do go in the zone, you need to pay before midnight (£8) or midnight the following day (£10). Easiest way is online but if you're unsure, call centre. You can even pay in most petrol stations and newsagents around London.

Be very sure you have paid the correct amount for the correct car! They are complete gits and there is absolutely no leeway at all if you make a mistake!

I believe that the system only works properly (cash wise) if there are enough fines generated (AND PAID!)...

[Scraggles]

think the tax is £5, if u think u have crossed the border, cheaper to pay and put it down to bad judgement than wait for them to send u a huge bill with added fines

[esselte]

Scraggles said:

think the tax is £5, if u think u have crossed the border, cheaper to pay and put it down to bad judgement than wait for them to send u a huge bill with added fines

I think you'll find it's £8 isn't it?

[twister]

Gilbertd said:

However, next weekend I will be driving into London and may enter the zone. What am I supposed to do?

If by "weekend" you mean the period between 6pm Friday and 7am the following Monday, you don't have to do anything - driving within the CC zone is only chargeable between 0700-1800 Mon-Fri...

[7db]

blueyes said:

ah! we're going to the exhibition centre and usually turn right off Talgarth Road by the (famous 3 kings?) pub, left at the next roundabout, and then we end up with EC on our left. Is your way faster?

It depends. The queue to turn right at North End Road can be horrendous, and if it is, the traffic down to Lillie Road will be bad. It's fast from there.

Earls Court road flows steadily unless there are road works or a Chelsea game. You can also go down Penywern Rd to get to the exhibition front entrance.

I nearly never go down the North End Road option as I don't like it and it has no "escape" options in the event of traffic - and I usually park somewhere else. But it can be quicker at times. It might depend on where you are parking for the exhibition. What time of day are you travelling?

Are you into electronic gaming machines, then? (I think that's what's exhibiting at the moment!)

[blueyes]

7db said:

blueyes said:

ah! we're going to the exhibition centre and usually turn right off Talgarth Road by the (famous 3 kings?) pub, left at the next roundabout, and then we end up with EC on our left. Is your way faster?

It depends. The queue to turn right at North End Road can be horrendous, and if it is, the traffic down to Lillie Road will be bad. It's fast from there.

Earls Court road flows steadily unless there are road works or a Chelsea game. You can also go down Penywern Rd to get to the exhibition front entrance.

I nearly never go down the North End Road option as I don't like it and it has no "escape" options in the event of traffic - and I usually park somewhere else. But it can be quicker at times. It might depend on where you are parking for the exhibition. What time of day are you travelling?

Are you into electronic gaming machines, then? (I think that's what's exhibiting at the moment!)

Left Wales at 7:15. Stopped for breakfast and still managed to get into the underground carpark at EC at 10:45. We turned right by the famous 3 kings and there wasn't much traffic so I guess we were lucky.

Thanks all for the help.

7db- yes we went to the Amusement Trades Exhibition- anything from a slot machine to a full casino!