Car ban in London - Driving here could land you a £130 fine
CARS, taxis and lorries have been banned from a major London junction in an attempt to reduce the amount of cyclist and pedestrian casualties in the city.
Cars and taxis will be banned from driving at Bank Station junction during the week
Cars, taxis and lorries are now banned from using the junction at Bank station between 7am-7pm on weekdays.
Only select vehicles and cyclists will be allowed to travel through a busy London junction in an effort to reduce cyclist casualties.
Drivers who ignore the ban can attract a fine of up to £130 - reduced to £65 if paid within 14 days
Chris Hayward, planning and transportation chair at City of London, said drivers will not be fined at first, instead receiving a “warning notice”.
“We are first going to warn people of the new regulations, we won’t penalise them straight away.” he said.
“And then persistent offenders will be given fines.”
Between the years of 2011 and 2016, 34 cyclists and 31 pedestrians were injured at the junction.
The City of London Corporation, who are responsible for the ban, hopes the scheme can reduce casualties at the junctions.
It is believed the move could reduce casualties by 50 to 60 per cent.
Drivers who flout the rules could face £130 fine
Additionally, the ban is expected to improve air quality in the area with a reduction in the amount of vehicles entering the zone.
The London Cycling Campaign has claimed the move is a “massive step forward”.
Initially, it will be trialled over an 18-month period.
The United Cabbies Group described it as "probably the most unnecessary scheme that anyone has suggested in London for some time" and have argued that taxis should be exempt.