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London LEZ's van phase public consultation kicks off
ian.tonkinrarbi.co.uk TRANSPORT FOR London (TfL) has begun a public consultation into the inclusion of vans in the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) from January 2012.
TfL was due to implement its plan on 4 October this year, but citing the recession. London mayor Boris Johnson decided to postpone phase three of the LEZ until 3 January 2012.
The proposal stipulates that the "oldest, most-polluting larger vans" (i.e. those between 1.2-tonnes and 3.5-tonnes GVW) must meet at least Euro-3 emission standards to enter the capital without charge.
Graeme Craig, director of congestion charging and traffic enforcement at TfL. says: "The proposed deferral of the LEZ phase affecting larger vans to 2012 allows more time for owners and operators of vehicles to prepare for this change in what has been a challenging economic climate. Vans and minibuses are responsible for a significant proportion of the emissions that cause air pollution in London."
Natalie Chapman, Freight Transport Association head of policy for London, says: -The incorporation of vans into the LEZ is not a big problem for the vast majority of our members. Given that all vans built after October 2001 are built to Euro-3 standards anyway, this will really only impact van operators with fleets of more than 10 years old.
-As we saw with HG Vs. a result of this will be a plummeting second-hand book price for non Euro-3-compliant vans. While we are broadly comfortable with Tfrs consultation, we also believe that. as far as smaller operators are concerned, it would be helpful if the date could be pushed back to October 2012 — the other side of the Olympics — to minimise the disruption and cost to those businesses that may find it more onerous to meet the requirements.
However, Craig adds: -While we are confident that London will meet European legal targets for particulate matter by 2011, including larger vans in the LEZ from 2012 is an important part of a package of measures designed to ensure continued compliance with these targets and to further clean up the capital's air."
Vehicles that don't meet the stipulated emissions limit will be charged a daily rate of £100 to enter London's LEZ.
Non-compliant vans that fail to pay their toll on the day will be penalised an additional £500 for every 24 hours overdue.
The public consultation runs until 28 June. Go to vvww.tfl.gov.uk for more information.
• TfL is consulting over a £2 increase in the rate for the Congestion Charge. It also plans to scrap the western extension.