London taxi drivers still facing frustration over 4D number plates despite Heathrow ANPR upgrade

Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association (LTDA) representatives have raised concerns over the ongoing 4D licence plate problems despite new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras installed by Heathrow Airport Ltd (HAL) on all airport terminals.

In a recent statement, Suzanne Sullivan, Airport Representative for LTDA, revealed that the new ANPR cameras at Heathrow now seem to be successfully capturing all characters on 4D number plates. This positive development should have resolved previous issues with the recognition of such plates.

However, Sullivan highlighted a new problem arising from the local constabulary's handheld ANPR devices. According to her statement, the devices utilised by officers during regular checks in and around Heathrow, as well as in town, are allegedly failing to capture all the characters on these 4D plates. As a result, drivers are being issued with £100 fines or the option to appeal in court.

The LTDA has been actively communicating with APlates, a company responsible for validating these number plates, to ensure the accurate recognition and validation of 4D plates. Sullivan informed members that HAL has acknowledged the ongoing problem and assured the trade association that a new system would be implemented by December 2023 in an effort to eradicate this issue.

Sullivan said in TAXI Newspaper: “In more positive news, Heathrow Airport Ltd (HAL) have recently changed their ANPR cameras on all the terminals, which now appear to be picking up all the characters on 4D number plates.

“Unfortunately, the local constabulary, who seem to set up regular 'stop bays' in and around Heathrow, as well as in town, are claiming their ANPR handheld devices are not picking up all characters on these 4D plates and so are issuing drivers with £100 fines or the option to appeal in court.

“We are still in contact with APlates, who are validating these plates, and advising members accordingly. At the last trade meeting with HAL, we were informed a planned new system would be implemented by December this year in order to eradicate this ongoing problem.

“Let's hope this happens and I have asked Heathrow to keep me updated. I have personally received two tickets in the past few days, when I was dispatched to T3 from the Taxi Feeder Park, so I know how frustrating it can be.”