Sadiq Khan has hinted at sending bailiffs to chase almost £400million in unpaid Ulez fines.
A staggering £376million in outstanding fines has been racked up as drivers across the capital continue to fall short of Khan’s strict environmental standards before failing to pay the £12.50 daily levy.
The blow to finances comes as Transport for London’s debt exceeds £450million.
Tory Assembly Member Neil Garratt quizzed Khan on how he could look to return the cash.
He asked the Mayor: “Are we going to see bailiffs knocking on people’s doors?”
Khan stressed “all options” would be considered and claimed it was “important” that TFL recovers the money.
“If you break the law, you break the law and action should be taken,” he said.
The Mayor added: “TFL has been working to identify new ways of recovering debt, including collaborating with the Department for Transport and the DVLA and working with enforcement agents to find drivers who receive multiple PCNs and improved communications with drivers.”
The surge in unpaid fines comes just one year after Khan extended the carbon-curbing motorist levy to London’s outer boroughs.
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A black hole of £255million was already generated just one month before the expansion.
Drivers who are handed a £180 charge for not complying with the Ulez have 28 days to make an application for an appeal.
Motorists can also pay half the fee if they cough up the cash within a fortnight.
Those who do not pay at all will see their fine rise to £270.
However, Khan stressed 96 per cent of vehicles in London were now Ulez compliant.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan
PA
He also claimed a mere 0.27 per cent of drivers received a fine.
The London Mayor had already taken measures to clampdown on Ulez fine evaders.
Khan gave firms £151.8million in lucrative contracts to track down drivers who fail to pay Ulez penalties and other road fines.
He briefed four companies to chase motorists who are dodging the levy, with firms listing persistent evaders.
Debt collectors were also instructed to go after those who fail to pay parking tickets, the congestion charge and other motoring fines.
