TfL offers an olive branch to non-LEZ-compliant operators
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By Christopher Walton TRANSPORT FOR London (TfL) will not penalise operators who drive non-compliant trucks into the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) after the Euro-4 emission deadline comes into force on 3 January, as long as they can prove they have already ordered retroit systems for their vehicles.
Operators will have 28 days leniency if they are able to prove they had placed an order for a system before the deadline.
Nick Fairholme, director of congestion charging and trafic enforcement at TfL, says: “We are aware that operators have experienced dificulties in getting their ilter itted in time for the forthcoming changes to the LEZ on 3 January 2012.
“To avoid penalising responsible operators unnecessarily, TfL will ensure that if an operator can provide evidence that they purchased a ilter before 3 January, TfL will not issue a penalty charge notice to the vehicle owner if it is driven within the zone before the ilter is itted.” Manufacturer Eminox says it is extending its opening hours to cope with demand. Marketing manager Kathye Henderson says: “We’re working extra shifts to cope with this exceptional demand. “Our LEZ team is available on our freephone line 0808 156 2012. We are asking people to contact us before Christmas so that we can get orders conirmed by the 3 January deadline.” Road Haulage Association director of policy Jack Semple says: “We have been urging members to make the changes for months, but it is inevitable that some will leave it until the last minute. However, operators will still be ined if they are unable to provide the TfL contact centre with evidence that they have ordered their system prior to the 3 January deadline when the new LEZ rules come into force.”