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Drivers Warned of Heavy Penalties as London Marathon Closes Roads

Police will enforce closures, with ULEZ and congestion charges in effect.

Overview

  • The race, which runs Sunday, is expected to bring more than 59,000 runners and roughly 800,000 spectators onto a 26.2-mile course across the capital.
  • Temporary marathon road-closure signs carry the same legal weight as permanent ones, and driving through them can trigger fines over £100 or prosecution for careless driving that can reach unlimited amounts.
  • Large parts of the route fall inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, where non-compliant vehicles owe a £12.50 daily fee and risk a £180 penalty that rises by 50% after 28 days if unpaid, with the separate weekend Congestion Charge of £18 operating from noon to 6pm in its zone.
  • Drivers also face Highway Code penalties, from footwear that hinders control carrying fines up to £5,000 and nine points to parking facing oncoming traffic after dark drawing fines up to £1,000.
  • Organisers advise using public transport, and runners can travel free on the Tube, Overground, buses and DLR until 6.30pm by showing a race bib.