Low Emission Zone

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone kicks of his latest scheme for London today, along with Transport for London (TfL) are introducing a low emission zone (LEZ) for vehicles to cover most of London (excluding the M25 corridor) from 4th February 2008.

It’s aimed at improving air quality standards in London which are currently amongst the worst in Europe. The LEZ will operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The scheme aims to encourage the use of vehicles with ‘cleaner’ engine technology (either modern vehicles designed to comply from ‘new’ or those ‘retro-fitted’ with equipment to reduce their harmful exhaust emissions) otherwise the operators will have to pay a charge of up to £200 each time they enter London.

The scheme is based on ‘Euro’ standards for vehicle exhaust emissions. Cameras on Havering's key road approaches to London such as the A12 and the A13 will check vehicle registration details against a database to see if the vehicle meets the right standards for emissions or is required to pay the daily charge. Large green signs have recently been installed alongside these routes about the LEZ.

The scheme will apply to older lorries, buses, coaches and mini buses, motor caravans and specialist vehicles such as horse boxes. It will not apply to cars and motorcycles. A small number of vehicles will be exempt from the LEZ and TfL have details of these types.

The scheme will have a phased introduction from next month beginning with the heaviest vehicles. At first, diesel-engined lorries of more than 12 tonnes will have to meet Euro lll emission standards to enter London free of charge.

From July 2008, vehicles in excess of 3.5 tonnes will also need to meet Euro III standards. Tougher requirements and a wider range of vehicles needing to comply will be introduced from 2010.

The scheme will be fully in place by 2012. Full details of the Low Emission Zone can be found on TfL’s website : tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon or by calling the information line 0845 607 0009.

Cllr Mann said "Who knows if this will be a good thing for London, Ken said the same about the congestion charge, it was meant to cut the amount of traffic and increase the level of carbon in London, now that the charge for the congestion is £8 a day and has done nothing to improve air quality in London". "All I would say about Ken, is lets all be pleased that we have London Elections on the 1st of May, not long to go know".