News

The Mayor of London has given the go-ahead for the low-emission zone (LEZ) scheme, despite criticisms that it is unnecessary, unenforceable and will be prohibitively costly to business. Mayor Ken Livingstone claims the LEZ, which will financially penalise trucks below Euro-3 travelling in the capital, will be a major step to improving air quality. The scheme will rely on registration data and Vosa records to ascertain compliance and will track vehicles using cameras and automatic number plate  recognition (ANPR).

However, Nick Fairholme, who will run the scheme, admits the LEZ has no way of recognising SCR vehicles that are running without AdBlue. From February 2008 the LEZ will apply to LGVs over 12 tonnes from July 2008 it will also apply to lighter trucks and PSVs. Operators of affected vehicles that do not meet the LEZ standards (unless exempt) will have to pay a charge of £200 for each day those vehicles enter the zone. This charge is separate from the £1,000 penalties which will be levied against those who neither comply nor pay.

Geoff Dossetter, external communications director at the Freight Transport Association, says: "[The LEZ] is an opportunity for the Mayor to take credit for the innovation of freight operators and vehicle manufacturers which has reduced noxious emissions dramatically." Own-account groups have told CM that the LEZ could make working in London unviable. The Horticultural Exhibitors Association and the British Association of Removers  have both said their members will be deterred from working in the capital.

However, despite a 100% discount given to customised showman's vehicles, Fairholme says Transport for London does not want to allow more exemptions.