[sustran] London Low Emission Zone project - announcing new restrictions on commercial, diesel vehicles in Greater London (14 m people).

[eric.britton]

Heads-up by Noel Hodson. Thanks Noel

 

>From Transport for London: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/lez/default.aspx 

The Mayor of London has confirmed plans to introduce a Low Emission Zone
(LEZ) across London. The aim of the scheme is to improve air quality in the
city by deterring the most polluting vehicles from driving in the area. 

The vehicles affected by the LEZ are older diesel-engine lorries, buses,
coaches, large vans, minibuses and other heavy vehicles that are derived
from lorries and vans, such as motor caravans and motorised horse boxes. 

There will be a phased introduction of the scheme from 4 February 2008
through to January 2012. Cars and motorcycles are not affected by the
scheme.

 


TfL gives operators leeway on LEZ compliance
http://www.roadtransport.com/Articles/2008/01/17/129541/tfl-gives-operators-
leeway-on-lez-compliance.html


17 January 2008

Rapid developments have occurred since Commercial Motor's story on operators
needing more time to prepare for the London
<http://www.roadtransport.com/Articles/2007/11/02/128920/london-low-emission
-zone.html>  Low Emission Zone. Transport for London has now given operators
some leeway regarding the London LEZ, after it emerged that many were not
receiving their aftermarket diesel particulate filters on time.

A TfL statement reads: "Transport for London is giving operators who drive
in the zone with vehicles that do not comply a 28 day warning period in
which to bring their vehicles into compliance.  During this time they will
not be fined, but after 28 days penalty charge notices will be issued and it
will be up to the operator to show that they have made all reasonable
progress before the introduction of the zone."

Nick Fairholme, head of the London LEZ
<http://www.roadtransport.com/Articles/2007/11/02/128920/london-low-emission
-zone.html> , says: "We are making the warning letter and the 28 day period
known to operators now, particularly those who have sought to take action in
the period up to 4 February and are concerned that they are waiting on
delivery of new vehicles or to have abatement equipment fitted."

This follows a barrage of complaints from operators and the RHA, after
particulate filter manufacturers said they could not match demand due to
large order books and problems with raw materials procurement.
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Dylan Gray
Email at dylan.gray at rbi.co.uk

 

London hauliers get 28 days to clean up their act

Transport for London <http://www.tfl.gov.uk/home.aspx>  (TfL) has been
praised by small business leaders, after adding a 28-day "grace period" to
its new Low Emission Zone <http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/lez/default.aspx>
(LEZ) legislation. 

The LEZ scheme, which launches in February, will fine heavily polluting
vehicles that drive into Greater London. Responding to concerns raised by
the Federation of Small Businesses
<http://www.morethanbusiness.com/Knowledge-Centre/Business-News/2007-12-03/H
auliers-in-the-dark-over-Londons-Low-Emission-Zone/273>  (FSB), TfL adjusted
the rules, giving firms time to bring their vehicles up to standard. 

Polluters, who will predominantly be haulage businesses, will be allowed 28
days after a first warning letter to show they are taking steps to lower
vehicle emissions. 

During this period they will not receive further fines and, if they can
prove they have "sought to comply with emissions standards", they will be
able to apply to have all previous fines refunded. 

Chris Glen, Transport Chair of the FSB <http://www.fsb.org.uk/> , said: "We
support the principle of improving London's air quality but we need to make
sure people are aware of the scheme in advance and can make changes so costs
can be kept low." 

"Transport for London's approach to the introduction of the scheme is very
welcome news indeed. This will give businesses that weren't aware of the
scheme more time to prepare."