A dad who feared financial ruin after being hit with thousands of pounds in Ulez fines has spoken of his relief - after they were suddenly cancelled.

Del Hudson, 54, said the fines incurred on his 900cc motorbike could have left him with considerable money woes.

He racked up the penalties in the month after the Ulez zone was expanded to cover all of London's boroughs in August 2023.

Del, from Hampton, south-west London, admits he misread an email about setting up his account after an initial fine.

He then buried his head when his debts began to mount - and two letters were even eaten by his dog.

He said he isn't sure of the total cost - but one of the seven fines he got was for £2,000.

But the dad-of-four was 'elated' to hear Transport for London (TfL) had decided to cancel all his fines this week after being approached by news agency SWNS.

He said: "I literally couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"I jumped up into the air and shouted for joy. I was totally elated and had the happiest day I've had for a long time."

Del was 'elated' to hear TFL hs decided to cancel his fines (image via SWNS)

Del claims he didn't realise his 2000 Honda Fireblade was non-compliant.

And upon receiving an email from TfL telling him he had successfully registered for a London Road User Charging account last year, he was convinced he had set up an autopay account and wouldn't have to take any further action.

So the administration manager kept riding his motorbike and unknowingly racked up seven fines in the first month after the Ulez zone was expanded.

Mr Hudson says he eventually learned of his fines and received 'threats' from TfL that bailiffs could soon darken his door.

He said: "I have been riding my 900cc Honda Fireblade for years. It's an old bike, a 2000 plate.

"Since Covid, I've suffered with depression and anxiety, and when Ulez expanded last year I didn't even think about the bike being non-compliant.

"I rode it one day and got a fine. I paid it and TfL told me they would take money from my card for future fines, but I must have read the email wrong.

"I kept riding the bike, thinking the money was going to come out automatically, but it didn't and I got four more fines."

Already in debt, some of Del's unpaid fines snowballed. One reached £2,000, he says.

But despite contacting TfL to ask about his fines, he says the transport authority was far from helpful in letting him know how much he owed.

Del's BMW is registered as having 'low emissions' (image bvia SWNS)

He said: "TfL issued a warrant, meaning bailiffs can come in and take my car.

"Because of the stress, I just didn't deal with it... My dog ate two of the letters.

"If all seven fines were over £2,000, that's half my yearly wage.

"It really got me down. TfL is making millions out of people like us.

"They can afford to buy new electric cars, but I bloody well can't."

But after TfL were contacted by the press about Mr Hudson's fines, they waived them all in a 'goodwill gesture'.

Despite Mr Hudson saying it was the involvement of the press which convinced TfL to waive the fines, he adds it may also have something to do with next month's mayoral elections.

"I do believe it's something to do with the election," he said.

"It makes TfL look good - but I still won't be voting for Sadiq Khan in the election.

"The common person just can't survive at the moment, and he's not helping matters in any form or fashion."

A ULEZ camera thought to have been hit by vandals (image via SWNS)

TfL said in a statement: "We are sorry for any distress caused to Mr Hudson.

"Following a review of his case, it is apparent that the fines issued to him were correct and followed our standard procedures in the absence of an Auto Pay account.

"As a gesture of goodwill, we have cancelled the outstanding fines and have advised him on how to set up Auto Pay."

Del's frustration at his fines has been compounded now that he has to use his BMW 3 Series 320i car - which is Ulez compliant.

However, he believes it is a worse emitter than his non-compliant Honda motorbike.

He says his daily commute, on which he briefly drives on two Ulez roads, now takes him more than twice as long.

And due to a lung condition which makes walking difficult, taking public transport to work is out of the question.

"The car is costing so much more and taking so much longer to drive to work," Mr Hudson said.

"It now takes 45 minutes to an hour and a quarter to get to work - whereas on my bike it takes me 25 minutes.

"But the car is putting out more emissions than the poxy motorbike was.

"Ulez is just hurting the poor people. It has financially hit me hard."

Del's BMW is registered as having 'low emissions'.

And he claims he's been told that though his bike would easily pass an emissions test, because it's over 17 years old it's not Ulez compliant.

All vehicles need to meet Euro 3 emissions standards for NOx, according to TfL information online.

The ULEZ is enforced based on the declared emissions of the vehicle rather than the age but, generally, Euro 3 engines are those registered with the DVLA after July 2007.