PROVISION OF AUTOMATIC NUMBER PLATE RECOGNITION FOR LONDON LORRY CONTROL SCHEME

3.1 The London Lorry Control Scheme (LLCS) controls the movement of heavy goods vehicles over 18 tonnes maximum gross weight. It is often, mistakenly, referred to as the lorry ban, but is actually a control which serves to manage the environmental impact of HGV journeys in London.

The scheme operates at night and at weekends on specific roads in London helping to minimise noise pollution.

Not all roads in London are controlled by the scheme, there is a core network of routes, usually trunk roads and similar, along which HGVs can travel at any time without needing permission to do so. These roads are known as the Ex- cluded Route Network (ERN).

Enforcement is carried out in residential areas during unsociable hours through unnecessary or unpermitted use of restricted roads. The issuing of permissions and administration of PCNs is undertaken in-house by London Councils, whereas the observation of vehicles is currently carried out on- street by a team of Enforcement Officers (EOs) under a contract with NSL (Marston Holdings).

To continue effective management of the LLCS on behalf of boroughs and TfL it is important that the enforcement of the scheme is updated and on street activities are supported by camera enforcement. This will improve the effectiveness of the scheme and improve the quality of life for London residents.

A pilot undertaken in 2020 confirmed that ANPR cameras are a suitable tool in capturing the relevant details regarding HGV movement when controls are in place, which is mainly during the hours of darkness. The successful pilot means that London Councils are looking to roll out ANPR cameras at identified hotspot enforcement locations across London. This will be a phased approach with a small number of initial cameras (three to five at specific locations - depending on cost) that will expand over time in collaboration with the supplier.

The ANPR feed will need to link with the existing and any future new CMS providing footage during the hours of the scheme that can be viewed by officers for any potential enforcement activity.

The introduction of any on street infrastructure would have to be undertaken in partnership with London Councils and the applicable highways authority, with all privacy impact assessments completed.