Birmingham considers LEZ
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BIRMINGHAM CITY Council is considering introducing a low emission zone (LEZ) within the city's ring-road to incentivise the take-up of cleaner vehicles by operators in the area.
Proposals outlined in its Draft Low Emission Strategy revealed it was conducting a feasibility study into whether an LEZ would be effective in improving air quality and reducing emissions. The plans could see an LEZ for trucks weighing more than 3.5 tonnes, as well as vans over 1,200kg, after the results of the study have been analysed next year.
The strategy said that the LEZ could be introduced between 2014 and 2016.
A spokesman for Birmingham City Council said it was working with other local authorities in the West Midlands to form a Low Emissions Towns and Cities (LETC) programme, which aims to improve air quality and create incentives for the take-up of cleaner vehicles.
However, he was unable to confirm the minimum emission standard the proposed LEZ could adopt; the LEZ in London has a Euro-4 minimum for trucks and Euro-3 for large vans. "The LETC group is involved in a technical feasibility study into the viability of LEZs within the region, to assess the available options
to address the traffic-related pollution problems," the spokesman said.
Matt Ellis, transport manager at Birmingham-based Transvan Express Carriers, said it only operated Euro-5 vehicles, so the introduction of an LEZ was unlikely to result in any additional cost to the business.
However, David Pottinger, director at LP Transport (Tividale), said: "There would be a little ripple in the water, as I would have to replace some of my trucks. About 70% are already compliant with the London LEZ. It wouldn't have a huge effect on us."