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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Ulez

133 replies

OldCow1 · 25/01/2023 19:13

Got caught out. Had no idea was in the zone. Bought my diesel car because thought it was greener at the time. Just so upset. Trains were on strike. Never drive near London otherwise. Got fine letter late (royal mail strikes maybe?) I'm on about 2p above minimum wage. This just feels shit. £160 fine for one screw up. Off you go trolls

OP posts:
Naddd · 26/01/2023 04:59

Clymene · 25/01/2023 20:25

I've reported your post. You made a mistake and you got a fine. Stop being so bloody melodramatic

It's absolutely disgusting to say what you did.

You only have to pay £80 if you pay within 14 days.

Pay the fine. Don't do it again.

Reported the post? Melodramatic?, bit rich!

Naddd · 26/01/2023 04:53

NoCatsToday · 25/01/2023 20:14

The signs are hard to miss. I guess you didn't realise they referred to you. £160 is a lot of money to pay for this mistake but the ULEZ is there to stop polluting old diesel cars killing people with their fumes so I can't feel too sad.

How tf does it do this? Do they buy clean air with money raised?

Fizbosshoes · 25/01/2023 23:13

I got 2 bus lane fines on one 3 hour round trip on a bank holiday. I stupidly thought they didn't apply on bank Holidays (It was an expensive error) and I didn't see a single bus in 3 hours of driving!

EmmaEmerald · 25/01/2023 22:54

OldCow1 · 25/01/2023 22:22

Sometimes things I say get absolutely flamed here where they never would be in real life. It does make me wonder if I'm abit lacking socially and real life people are being kind or are there a few on here who are just horrible and wouldn't be around in real life

It's not you

I think the signage isn't great and I live here! I must admit, I didn't know the fine was that much....I don't drive....that is awful. I'm so sorry. If I could think up a way to get you off the hook, I would.

I live on a street where traffic is displaced and it makes bus journeys twice as long. Praise be, I am leaving London soon.

Neededanewuserhandle · 25/01/2023 22:51

Overthebow · 25/01/2023 21:41

I've been driving for 17 years, since the age of 17, and I've always been aware that diesel cars are worse for the environment than petrol cars. At 17 I knew that. Has everyone been living under a rock or something?

Define "worse for the environment"

TheaBrandt · 25/01/2023 22:45

It’s a bugger when you’re caught out I agree but is the price of having a car. And the “bigger picture” to minimise the worse cars to minimise air pollution is right. Ours is also non compliant need to upgrade what a pain,

jannier · 25/01/2023 22:43

Clymene · 25/01/2023 20:40

@jannier I've had my car 10 years. It's ULEZ compliant and is worth less than £3k

But to buy your £3k car I would have to have £3k to spare ...the £385 I've been offered for my diesel Smax that has met all mot emissions tests runs perfectly and I've paid more than £3k for 6 years ago isn't going to pay for it....and my daughter's fiat Panda isn't going to carry 5 children. Of course I could put up each child's bill by £12.50 a week to cover it meaning one family finding an extra £100 a month.....I live under a flight path and bordered by 3 motorways and 2 main roads into London they are happily planning another runway to dump fuel on us but apparently asthma rates will be solved by Ulez....the building of HS2 with the grid locked heavy diesel lorry's that can be 10 in a row are not an issue either.

balloontrip · 25/01/2023 22:36

OldCow1 · 25/01/2023 21:34

Ew ew someone's life is sitting there on mjmsnet waiting for their chance to be nasty. How sad is that?

Interesting that you use 'sitting on mumsnet' as a negative here, as if you are not also using mumsnet. The nasty comments however, they only came from you.

It's a shame you are lashing out defensively rather than accepting your error.

Original poster
OldCow1 · 25/01/2023 22:35

Lob 123 I'm glad it's making a noticible difference. That actually makes e feel less crap about the fine xx

OP posts:
Lcb123 · 25/01/2023 22:28

Sorry to hear but it’s been very widely published and there’s a lot of signs (I live just outside the zone). Living there it’s made a big difference to air quality already

Original poster
OldCow1 · 25/01/2023 22:22

Sometimes things I say get absolutely flamed here where they never would be in real life. It does make me wonder if I'm abit lacking socially and real life people are being kind or are there a few on here who are just horrible and wouldn't be around in real life

OP posts:
Original poster
OldCow1 · 25/01/2023 22:18

Have you been flamed on mumsnet?

OP posts:
ChateauMargaux · 25/01/2023 22:16

You could try emailing [email protected] and contest the increase in fine after the 14 days ... there have been issues with foreign registered cars which are compliant receiving fines and emailing this address helped to sort it out. You might still have to pay the first fine, but not the increased amount.

FrostyNethers · 25/01/2023 22:05

CombatBarbie · 25/01/2023 21:22

What car have you got OP, mines is a 2.2 diesel SUV and mine is ulez compliant according to the checker I've just done online.

Our big diesel is also compliant. Assume it’s because of the AdBlue?

FelinaTalons · 25/01/2023 22:01

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
OldCow1 · 25/01/2023 21:56

Parietal I 100 % agree and have no problem with doing everything we possiby can to make London a better, safer place to be. Still cross to receive a fine on the day its due to double gl what will will really hit

OP posts:
Spectre8 · 25/01/2023 21:47

CombatBarbie · 25/01/2023 21:41

Huh? The Op, I am assuming, presumed she was ulez compliant? She mentions buying diesel because its greener. I'll bet there's loads of fines given out because people assume their car means no charge. I double checked mine as thought the criteria had maybe changed sinceast rime I checked when I drove through London.

Computer databases can be wrong yknow.

Show quote history

It won't be as it uses number plate recognition and dvla information and their data is automatically given to them on sale of a car. Its extremely rare it would be wrong.

parietal · 25/01/2023 21:43

the fines are horrible when the hit you, but overall ULEZ is a good thing. there was a little girl who died because of the air pollution in London, and the only way to stop that kind of thing is to have less polluting cars on the streets.

Jimboscott0115 · 25/01/2023 21:42

OldCow1 · 25/01/2023 21:34

Ew ew someone's life is sitting there on mjmsnet waiting for their chance to be nasty. How sad is that?

I assume you are referring to yourself here as your attitude in places has been less than great.

Appeal the fine to get it reduced, or don'tand pay the full amount - they are your options.

Overthebow · 25/01/2023 21:41

I've been driving for 17 years, since the age of 17, and I've always been aware that diesel cars are worse for the environment than petrol cars. At 17 I knew that. Has everyone been living under a rock or something?

CombatBarbie · 25/01/2023 21:41

Spectre8 · 25/01/2023 21:31

Lol it doesn't matter it isn't ulez compliant hence the fine for a charge op didnt pay.

Show quote history

Huh? The Op, I am assuming, presumed she was ulez compliant? She mentions buying diesel because its greener. I'll bet there's loads of fines given out because people assume their car means no charge. I double checked mine as thought the criteria had maybe changed sinceast rime I checked when I drove through London.

Computer databases can be wrong yknow.

WonderingWanda · 25/01/2023 21:38

Are you being penalised /having to pay more for the late letter? Of so definitely worth getting in touch with them and seeing if you can get them to waive it due to the strikes.

LadyIckenham · 25/01/2023 21:38

OP, double check if you can appeal it. I got stung on the Dartford crossing a few years back, completely forgot to pay it and they waived it as it was the first time. It was so much easier when you just chucked a quid in the bucket!!

You have my sympathies, that's a horrendous amount.

JusteanBiscuits · 25/01/2023 21:36

I spend £25 a week on the bloody ULEZ for sons hobby. Come August I have no idea what we'll do. Can't afford to change our 10 year old diesel . Our plan was to drive it till the end of it's life and then hope Electric gave us what we needed at a better price than is currently available. I think batteries will be substantially better in about 2 years, and so it's just not worth changing right now. Ity's a massive worry right now.

ODFOx · 25/01/2023 21:34

You have my sympathies. I got caught in Birmingham visiting a uni open day with DD. I didn't even know anywhere except London had a scheme!
Live and learn.

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