Heathrow Airport passengers are being warned about incurring multiple ULEZ charges if they use meet and greet car parking services.
Motorists driving a non-compliant vehicle will now be forced to pay the £12.50 charge to enter the airport after Tuesday’s ULEZ expansion, which now incorporates every London borough.
ULEZ charges only apply to older diesel and petrol cars which do not meet emissions standards.
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Some passengers use meet and greet services when parking their car, meaning they drive to the terminal doors or a nearby car park, hand over the keys and walk to the terminal, while a member of staff takes the vehicle to a different site.
Cars are then returned to passengers when they get back from their travels.
But travellers who return home via a different terminal to the one they left through may have to pay three separate ULEZ charges – as their car is driven on public roads for collection on their arrival home.
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Holidaymakers using these services would be charged £37.50 in ULEZ penalties for a single holiday on top of parking fees.
Heathrow’s meet and greet and valet parking fees start from £127.50 for a day, and there is also a £5 charge for vehicles to enter the drop-off areas in the airport.
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The airport said in a statement on its website: “London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, or ULEZ, is expanding to encompass all of Greater London, including Heathrow Airport, from the 29 August.
“The initiative, implemented by Transport for London (TfL), is aimed at reducing air pollution in London, therefore all vehicles entering the airport must meet certain emissions standards in order to avoid paying a daily charge.
“The daily charge for non-compliant vehicles is £12.50 for most vehicles, including cars, vans, and motorcycles.
“The charge will be in addition to any other fees or charges associated with entering the airport. The charge only applies when a vehicle is driven within the ULEZ zone, and does not apply to stationary vehicles including when cars are parked at Heathrow.”
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The ULEZ expansion has been controversial, with some taking to pulling cameras down or cutting their wires in an effort to help motorists avoid the charges.
However, supporters praise the scheme’s expansion, which City Hall says will help improve air quality in the capital.
