London mayor calls for 150,000 vehicles to clean up and avoid fines 27 January 2011

The Mayor of London has launched an information campaign to remind commercial vehicle owners and operators of changes to the emissions standards for the London Low Emission Zone that come into force next year.

Around 75,000 HGVs, buses and coaches will have to meet tighter Low Emission Zone standards from 3 January 2012, while a further 72,000 larger vans and minibuses will also have to meet emissions standards.

Transport for London (TfL) estimates that the changes to the LEZ will broadly double the impact of earlier phases in reducing particulate matter pollution in the capital.

The Mayor believes that road transport emissions are the largest source of dangerous particulate matter air pollution in the capital, with larger vans responsible for 21% of these emissions and 10% of NOx.

He says that the current LEZ is working well in keeping some of the most polluting vehicles from driving within London, but insists that further action is needed to reduce pollution.

In less than 12 months, vehicles will have to meet the Euro 3 standard for particulate matter, if they want to drive within the LEZ free of charge and avoid fines. For HGVs, buses and coaches that are already affected, the emissions standards will be tightening to Euro 4 for particulate matter – quadrupling the number of vehicles impacted.

Operators of larger vans and minibuses that do not meet the required emissions standards will have to pay a £100 daily charge or risk a £500 penalty.

Owners of HGVs, buses and coaches will have to pay a £200 daily charge or risk a £1,000 penalty.

Larger vans and minibuses were originally due to be included in the LEZ from 4 October 2010, but the Mayor took the decision, following public consultation, to defer the introduction in tough economic times to give owners and operators more time to make the necessary changes.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: "I want Londoners to enjoy a civilised, high quality life in beautiful, safe surroundings, with effective public transport and a healthy environment.

"The Low Emission Zone is already playing a major part in that by deterring the most polluting vehicles from driving within London. But while pollution remains a serious health issue, we need to take further action," he adds.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Transport for London

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