Transport for London
Transport for London | |||
Location Map ( geo) | |||
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County | |||
Essex • Hertfordshire • Kent • Middlesex • Surrey | |||
Borders | |||
Buckinghamshire • Hertfordshire Council • Essex Council • Kent Council • Surrey Council • Slough Council | |||
National Highways Roads | |||
M1 • M3 • M4 • M11 • M25 | |||
History
Transport for London (TfL) was founded in 2000 as a London-wide transport authority. TfL is chaired by the Mayor of London.
Contrary to popular belief, TfL does have legal authority to operate motorways, however they are not allowed to maintain Trunk Roads, and a mix up in the original legal order declared all non-motorway trunk roads in London to cease to be trunk when TfL starts. To get around this mix up the M41, A40(M) & A102(M) were downgraded to A-class before TfL started.
In 2003, they introduced the Congestion Charge, initially within the London Inner Ring Road but in 2007 the zone expanded to cover most of Kensington and Chelsea Council. In 2010, the expansion was removed.
In 2008 TfL introduced the London Low emission zone which levies a charge on all vehicles that do not comply with TfL's required emission standards. This was followed by the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in 2019. Originally applied to the Congestion Charge zone, it was extended to inner London between the North and South Circular Roads in 2021, and to the whole of Greater London in 2023.
Structure
TfL is responsible for the "Transport for London Road Network" or TLRN - usually known as the Red Routes (maps). This network of 360 miles (580km) makes up only 5% of roads in London by length, but carries 33% of London's traffic. The 33 London boroughs are responsible for the majority of roads in their jurisdiction. However, TfL are responsible for all traffic signals in London whether on Borough Roads or on the TLRN.
The TLRN is divided into 3 sections: North, South and Central.
All of the activity on roads (and the Thames) is covered by the Surface Transport "mode": as well as a Highway Authority, this includes regulating London Buses and taxis (through the Public Carriage Office), and running Dial-a-ride and the Victoria Coach Station. The other "modes" are London Underground and London Rail, which is responsible for the Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, Croydon Tramlink and Crossrail. TfL also runs the the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden.
Junctions
Bridges, Tunnels, and other Crossings
Links
Transport for London
London Transport Museum
Legislation.gov.uk