Transport for London cameras are being installed at road junctions and vantage points around High Barnet in readiness for the the planned introduction of Tuesday 29 August of the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone which will impose a £12.50-a-day levy on older vehicles.

High Barnet has a pivotal position at the northern boundary of the zone.

Although many of the cameras are now in place, the go ahead for the erection of new ULEZ warning signs is awaiting the outcome of a challenge in the High Court.

Four Conservative-controlled outer London boroughs, Bexley, Bromley, Harrow, and Hillingdon – and Surrey County Council – have argued that the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan “lacks the legal power” to extend the ULEZ zone from inner London to the whole of the capital.

Mr Justice Swift reserved his decision when the case was heard in early July, and he indicated it could be some weeks before he gives his verdict.

Three main roads within High Barnet have been excluded from the zone to allow a free flow of traffic for residents of Hertsmere – especially those travelling between Borehamwood and Potters Bar.

Of all the junctions, perhaps the most critical is where St Albans Road meets the upper section of Barnet High Street.

These two main roads will be outside the zone to allow the free flow in both directions of older vehicles which fail to meet the emissions standards.

To avoid the charge, traffic approaching High Barnet from Potters Bar along the A1000 (Great North Road) will be able to turn right into the St Albans Road (A1081).

Similarly, vehicles approaching High Barnet along the St Albans Road will be able to turn left into the upper section of the High Street and proceed towards Potters Bar without being charged.

A camera installed above the pedestrian crossing lights at the entrance to The Spires shopping centre will monitor vehicles that do continue south along the High Street towards the parish church.

Traffic approaching High Barnet along the St Albans Road that is seeking to avoid the town centre will be caught by cameras at right turns into Wrotham Road (above), Alston Road (main picture), and Stapylton Road, with new ULEZ warning signs expected at Chipping Close and Bruce Road.

One side road off St Albans Road has been excluded from the zone: no charge will apply to vehicles that turn left or right into Sunset View cul-de-sac.

 The second major through route for older vehicles between Boreham Wood and Potters Bar will be for traffic travelling along the A411 (Barnet Road) from Stirling Corner.

This section of Barnet Road – all the way from Stirling Corner to the junction at The Arkley public house – will be outside the zone and traffic will be allowed to turn left into Galley Lane to avoid the charge.

Similarly, vehicles travelling south on Galley Lane will be able to turn right at The Arkley and proceed towards Stirling Corner without charge.

Vehicles continuing towards High Barnet along Barnet Road -- and on into Wood Street -- will be monitored by the camera opposite The Arkley.

Again, there are understood to be exemptions for several small side roads. Cul-de-sacs leading off the northern side of Barnet Road, some of which end in the Green Belt, will be outside the zone.

No through roads that are thought to be excluded include Kerri Close, Garden Close, Field End, and Arkley Drive.

Because of the uncertainty created by the High Court challenge to the extension of ULEZ to the outer London boroughs, there is still a lack of clarity about the precise positioning of all the cameras and many are yet to be installed.

Earlier this year Transport for London did indicate there would be a degree of flexibility for communities on the borders of ULEZ and alternative routes for vehicles seeking to avoid the charge.

The full impact of the charge on businesses and services in High Barnet is another unknown quantity.

Patients treated at Barnet Hospital include many from Hertsmere and there appear to be no exemptions for those travelling by older vehicles; hospital staff and health workers will also be affected.

Shoppers and visitors to High Barnet – using the car parks in Stapylton Road and The Spires – will also be caught by the charge if they have older vehicles.    

Another consequence might be that even more older cars, vans and lorries attempt to park in St Albans Road to avoid entering the zone.

The existing Low Emissions Zone, which imposes a charge on older heavy goods vehicles, starts at the High Street’s junction with St Albans Road.

The inner London ULEZ was created in 2019 and then expanded in 2021 to the boundaries of the North and South Circular Roads. Expansion to the outer boroughs was announced last year.