Families driving to Hampton Court Palace do not have to pay the Ulez fee if they follow a certain route despite the site being inside the charging area, it has emerged.
Bosses at Historic Royal Palaces, who manage the historic residence, have revealed a loophole involving turning left out of the car park to avoid enforcement cameras.
The car park exit emerges into the charging zone where drivers of non-compliant vehicles have to pay £12.50, after it was expanded by Mayor Sadiq Khan on Tuesday.
But left-turning vehicles leaving the car park will not be seen by the Ulez camera -located further north along the road – unless they re-enter the zone elsewhere.
The car park entrance is situated just outside the charging area and the private roads within the grounds and the car park itself are also not subject to Ulez enforcement.
The Historic Royal Palaces guidance was praised today by anti-Ulez motoring activist Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK and Reform UK’s London mayoral candidate.
He told MailOnline: ‘Hampton Court, on the cusp of the stalag Ulez, should be applauded in helping non-compliant car drivers to avoid paying this draconian tax.’
The Tudor palace in South West London was begun by Cardinal Wolsey in the 16th century and became a favourite of Henry VIII who brought all his six wives there.
he Tudor palace – a favourite of King Henry VIII who brought all his six wives there
Historic Royal Palaces has revealed a Ulez loophole involving turning left out of the car park
The guidance issued by Historic Royal Palaces comes after the London Borough of Richmond was included in the newly-extended Ulez that came into force this week.
London became the world’s largest pollution charging area after Ulez was expanded to include all of the capital following months of political controversy and a High Court legal battle.
Hampton Court Palace sits on the border of the Richmond borough next to the River Thames, but those driving in from outside London can avoid paying the charge if they follow the advice.
However, visitors to another nearby attraction sat on the Ulez border, Chessington World of Adventures, will not be so fortunate after bosses at the theme park confirmed that Ulez will have to paid by those using all of its entrances with non-compliant cars.
Parts of London Heathrow are also near the border, but airport officials have also confirmed that all non-compliant vehicles will have to pay the daily charge.
People who drive in the Ulez in a vehicle that does not meet minimum emissions standards are now required to pay a £12.50 daily fee or risk a £180 fine, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
The entrance to the Hampton Court Palace car park in London is located outside the Ulez zone
The Hampton Court Palace car park exit is located just inside the Ulez charging zone…
… but you will only be caught by a Ulez camera if you turn right out of the car park (pictured)
Historic Royal Palaces addressed the Ulez issue at Hampton Court Palace in a series of questions on the travel section of its website.
The first asked: ‘Is Hampton Court Palace and its car park in the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone and Low Emission Zone boundaries?’
The answer was: ‘Yes, but the entry to the palace is outside both zones and the private roads within the grounds and the car park are not subject to any charges. However, cars exiting the car park are.’
And the second said: ‘Will I be charged exiting the palace?’
The answer was: ‘The exit of the carpark onto Hampton Court Road emerges into the charging zones. However, left-turning, non-compliant cars exiting the palace carpark back out of London will not be seen by Ulez camera (located further north along the road) unless they re-enter the Ulez zone elsewhere with a non-compliant vehicle.’
Another question said: ‘Will the position of the Ulez camera change?’ And the answer was: ‘While the positioning of any camera could change, TfL has no future plans to review this location.’
Hampton Court Palace was a favourite of King Henry VIII who brought all his six wives there
The Tudor palace in South West London begun by Cardinal Wolsey in the early 16th century
Hampton Court Palace is located near a railway station but some visitors choose to drive there
MailOnline contacted Transport for London (TfL) for comment on this point.
And a TfL spokesperson said: ‘Nine out of 10 cars seen driving in the zone are compliant and won’t have to pay a penny. All Londoners affected are eligible for thousands of pounds in help to change their vehicle.
‘The Ulez is necessary to save lives and lungs from toxic air pollution. We would advise anyone driving a non-compliant vehicle in the zone to pay the charge, or they could be liable for a penalty.’
Sources within TfL added that its Ulez cameras were ‘under continuous review’ and had been ‘sited to ensure the scheme’s main objective, which is cleaning up the capital’s toxic air’.
Historic Royal Palaces advises that those visiting from the M25 should take either exit 10 onto the A307, or exit 12, onto the A308. From the A3, drivers can take the A309.
Car parking costs £1.60 per hour, and there is also nearby off-site car park at Hampton Court Green along the A308. The main car park has four electric vehicle chargers costing 44p per Kwh.
Bosses also advise visitors that there are various public transport routes to visit Hampton Court Palace, including by train and bus.
However, the rail strikes taking place tomorrow and on Saturday are likely to force people into their cars even if they were hoping to take the train.
Hampton Court train station is located a five-minute walk from the palace, and has National Rail train services running to and from London Waterloo every 30 minutes,
Bus services also run from Kingston and Richmond – including the 111, 216, 411, 461, 513 and R68.
While there is no London Underground station at Hampton Court, the nearest options are Wimbledon and Richmond.
Historic Royal Palaces has been contacted for comment by MailOnline today.
