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Congestion Charge
liam.mccaffrey - 15/12/15 at 06:02 PM

I'm going to london on business for a couple of days and have to drive into the congestion zone. My vehicle will be locked up in a car park and I'll only be actually driving in the congestion zone on the days I arrive and leave. Do I have to pay the charge on the middle days or not anyone know????

Before anyone suggest I'd be better going on the train there is a reason I'm driving and i can't get around it unfortunately

Rob3 - 15/12/15 at 06:26 PM

No, only the days you actually drive in the congestion zone

mark chandler - 15/12/15 at 06:38 PM

My understanding is that you only pay if you cross the entrance/exit.

The times 07:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday, so arrive before, leave after and it's free.

theconrodkid - 15/12/15 at 06:44 PM

^^^^^ what Mark said

snapper - 15/12/15 at 07:01 PM

Trust me if you need to be in London for a specific time in the morning
GO EARLY

gremlin1234 - 15/12/15 at 07:10 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mark chandler
My understanding is that you only pay if you cross the entrance/exit.

The times 07:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday, so arrive before, leave after and it's free.
nope, [as I understand it...] there are cameras everywhere, not just on the edges.
you pay for the days your car/van/truck is on the road.
in a car park all day should not incur the charge.

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge

eg:
arrive London sunday, and park off road, then leave Wednesday 4pm
you would have to pay just Wednesday.
bank holidays no charge, also no charge between Christmas and new year.

also beware, check if the vehicle also has to pay the LEZ low emissions zone charge

liam.mccaffrey - 15/12/15 at 10:07 PM

awesome LCB to the rescue as usual

mark chandler - 15/12/15 at 10:57 PM

Unfortunately it looks like you do have to pay if you move around within the zone....

I would register and set to auto pay, then you will be covered for all days, only get charged for ones that catch you on camera. I have forgotten to pay a couple of times, it hurts

Ben_Copeland - 16/12/15 at 07:36 AM

Yes with the ridiculously priced fine for not paying i would do what Mark said, set the auto pay then you never have to worry about it again.

nick205 - 16/12/15 at 09:24 AM

From personal experience, make sure you pay fast as they like to fine you silly amounts for not paying!

Again, personal experience shows you will not be charged if the car is left parked in the car park, only the days you drive in/out of the zone.

From memory when you pay online you can get work suitable receipts to claim against as well.

rm0rgan - 17/12/15 at 08:49 AM

Not helpful to the OP's question, but useful to know if you do have to head into town coming in from the West - I now park at Westfields Shopping Centre and take the tube from Sheperd's Bush to wherever I need to go - £6 all day parking and smack bang on the Central Line

mk85 - 17/12/15 at 09:35 AM

I lived in the congestion zone for a year. Pay as you enter and leave. Sometimes it's actually quicker to wait for the cut of at night and then head out. As the traffic peaks around 5 and actually dies of a lot around 7.

Also don't forget to pay as it spirals out of control very fast and gets expensive.

Where abouts do you have to head to