We have been through the worst five months of our lives, and now face £650 in fines for driving our van through the Rotherhithe tunnel, which runs under the Thames in east London.
In July we received a phone call from our son who was in Royal London hospital having had an emergency scan that showed a large tumour in his brain.
We immediately travelled down from our home in Lincolnshire and rented a flat close to his to help in any way we could, as he is now classed as terminally ill.
We realised that our car would fall foul of the London ultra low emission zone, so travelled down in my van that is compliant with the ultra–low emissions regulations. We have been driving him everywhere, including to chemotherapy every weekday for six weeks.
Our neighbours in Lincolnshire have been forwarding our post. On opening it we found three fines for travelling through the tunnel in a vehicle weighing more than two tonnes. Our van is the smallest van that has three seats in the front, and I had no idea that, when it is loaded up, it is rated at more than two tonnes.
We are now being chased for five fines of £130 – it would have been £65 but, because I appealed, it reverted back to the full charge. I have explained our position and pointed out the van was empty on each crossing, except for us, so it would not have exceeded the two-tonne limit, but this has been refused.
Eventually, Transport for London agreed to reduce the five fines to £65 each. I have asked for some leniency but, while the staff are empathic – and some apologised – it is impossible to speak to whoever makes the decisions. We would appreciate any help you can give us.
PH, Lincs
You have been through every parent’s worst nightmare and I really hope you get some better news about your son’s treatment. Not living in that area of London you would have had no idea that even small vans fall foul of Rotherhithe tunnel’s weight limit, which is calculated according to the vehicle’s maximum permitted load rather than actual weight. It doesn’t help that all the signs at the tunnel entrance show pictures of lorries rather than vans like yours.
When I got on to Transport for London, staff jumped into action. All the fines have been cancelled and you will be refunded for the payments you made.
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