News

An operator that chose to use a local fitter to install particulate filters to comply with the London low-emission zone (LEZ) has hit another stumbling block - a long wait to get a test date with Vosa. KJ Lowe Transport, based in Bexleyheath, runs two Scania 18-tonne trucks. The company ordered particulate filters from Dinex in November these arrived and were fitted last week.

However  the company chose to use a local, authorised fitter to keep costs down and is now unable to get the filters tested at Vosa's Gillingham test centre until 8 and 10 April. Co-owner Marion Smith says: "We live within the LEZ so we've had our 28 days' grace, and every time we drive out in the morning we get fined £200 even though the trucks have the relevant filters fitted."

She adds that Transport for London (TfL) told her to pay the fine and claim it back, "but we just don't have the cash flow to be able to do that. We've done everything we can - including spending £6,000 to get the right filters which we won't be able to get back - and are still being penalised." A TfL spokeswoman says: "TfL anticipates that the vast majority of operators who ordered devices before 4 February 2008 will have these fitted and tested by the end of March.

"The majority of the approved suppliers of pollution abatement equipment listed on TfL's  website have fitters who have been approved as authorised examiners to carry out smoke tests on Vosa's behalf. This new service is available in addition to the test facility provided by Vosa. Operators should check with their abatement supplier whether they have authorised examiners able to provide this service.

However the spokeswoman says that where the supplied test date does not meet the operator's schedule, it is Vosa's standard procedure to check other test stations nearby to see whether there is earlier availability. "There is currently availability at most test stations across London and in the South-East," she adds.