It’s easy to see both sides. Khan is responding to the capital’s and the judiciary’s calls for cleaner air with what he sees as a quick fix. That despite last month’s report for DEFRA, which slates clean air zones as too inflexible. Meanwhile, transport operators, already struggling with low margins and growing calls for CLOCS compliant urban trucks, see themselves as the unfairly treated fall guys (page 8).
What a difference a day makes. Just 24 hours earlier, the FTA for one had been congratulating the new mayor and calling on him to help London by going for three “quick wins”. A review of rulings that restrict night-time deliveries; a congestion charge discount for clean CVs ahead of the ULEZ; and stronger action against rogue operators.
We shouldn’t abandon hope yet. However, early indications are that Mr Khan is more interested in sticks than carrots. And overtly populist measures than constructive dialogue. Which is a huge shame and bound to backfire. Certainly when it comes to transporting the materials needed to meet his 80,000 a year home-building aspiration.
The fact is there is only so much hard-pressed operators can do to transform air quality. Worthwhile change won’t happen without open minds and partnerships involving DfT, City of London and others. We need initiatives as per the Low Carbon Truck trial, but also financial incentives. And these should not just be targeted at Euro 6 diesels and cleaner fuels, but also low-emission chilled transport (page 7).
Without transport on side, the government and the mayor will struggle to meet their commitments to the electorate and Europe.