Transport for London could be forced to pay back millions of pounds in Ulez fines after a European company launched legal action in defence of drivers.
Lawyers acting on behalf of the companies argue that up to £6.5million in fines were issued unlawfully by the Ultra Low Emission Zone and the Low Emission Zone.
This marks the first legal challenge against Transport for London and its debt collection agency, Euro Parking Collection (EPC), over fines to foreign drivers.
The Ulez scheme was expanded in August to cover all of Greater London, with up to five million more people included in the zone.
Sadiq Khan faces further issues after the Ulez expansion
GETTY/PA
Drivers who own non-compliant vehicles face a charge of £12.50 per day, with fines potentially reaching as high as £180.
Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are also required to adhere to the rules of the Low Emission Zone which can charge fines of up to £3,000.
These charges apply to all drivers, not just those based in the UK, with a number of European-based drivers receiving hefty fines in the post relating to the scheme.
Transport in Nood BV, a Dutch company representing lorry firms, has applied for permission to launch a judicial review against TfL, according to the Telegraph.
It claims that TfL has been unlawfully issuing fines to groups in the Netherlands, suggesting a total sum of €7.5million (£6.52million) may have been incorrectly handed out.
Antonio Oliveira, the owner of Transport in Nood BV, said the company was launching the case after a number of companies went bankrupt after being fined.
He said: “People have been really impacted. I have seen people in tears over this, others have had to sell their trucks.
“It is completely unjust, and we need to get an answer from an English court to find out if this is correct.
“We are launching this claim to get the fines that have already been paid to be repaid, and the court costs. We are talking millions of pounds.
“We are only talking about Holland – it must be even greater across Europe. We are not the only country, of course.”
The TfL website states that vehicles registered outside of the UK still need to meet emissions standards when driving in London.
This applies to the Ultra Low Emission Zone, Low Emission Zone and must abide by the Congestion Charge and the Direct Vision Standard HGV Safety.
Drivers from abroad must register their vehicles with TfL if it is listed as not meeting Ulez standards but can provide evidence that it does meet emissions requirements.
A spokesperson for TfL said: “We have received a claim relating to penalty charge notices from claimants based in the Netherlands and are considering our response.”
The Ulez was expanded to cover all of Greater London in August
PA
GB News has approached Euro Parking Collection for a comment.