News

The Mayor of London has today given the go-ahead for the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) scheme, despite the criticisms of many in the road transport industry.

Mayor Ken Livingstone says that the LEZ, which will financially penalise trucks below Euro-3 level travelling in the capital, will be a major step to improving air quality. However opponents of the scheme say that the difficulties in knowing what Euro-level a vehicle is operating at without extensive and highly engineered tests will make  the scheme unenforceable. They also emphasise that the greatest pollution in London comes from cars which vastly outnumber commercial vehicles.

From February 2008 the Low Emission Zone will apply to LGVs over 12 tonnes. From July 2008 the Low Emission Zone will also apply to lighter lorries, buses and coaches.

Operators of affected lorries, buses and coaches that do not meet the Low Emission Zone standards (unless exempt or entitled to a 100% discount) will need to pay a charge of £200 for each day they are driven in the zone. This charge is separate from the very heavy penalties which will be levied against those who neither comply nor pay.

Michèle Dix, director of the London Low Emission Zone at Transport for London, said: “Our surveys on the proposals found that 70% of public and stakeholder respondents, and 69% of business respondents, support the scheme.” The Mayor had also lined up an array of health charities and doctors who support his claim that targeting  buses and lorries is the most effective way of combating poor air quality.

However, opponents say the scheme is unworkable and unnecessary. Geoff Dossetter , external communications director at the Freight Transport association says: “Far from the proposed Low Emission Zone being the answer to London's air quality problems, it is an opportunity for the Mayor to take credit for the enormous progress made by others, particularly vehicle manufacturers and lorry operators, over recent years. Innovation by freight operators and vehicle manufacturers has reduced noxious emissions dramatically. Initiatives such as cleaner diesel coming in 2009; new incentives for improved Euro 5 trucks and a phenomenal uptake of new electric and hybrid vehicles by London operators mean that emissions from road transport will plunge further still.”

Other own-account groups have told Commercial Motor that the LEZ could make work in London unviable. The Horticultural Exhibitors Association and the British Association of Removers have both said their members will be deterred from capital work.