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TfL defends London LEZ but critics are vocal

Transport for London (TfL) believes that haulage firms and owner operators will be able to comply with the London low emission zone (LEZ), although critics believe it was ill-thought out.

The zone comes into effect for diesel-engined haulage trucks weighing over 12 tonnes on February 4th, 2008 and for lorries over 3.5 tonnes from July, 2008.

A recent survey found that some 80,000 affected vehicles are still not compliant with the emissions regulations and would therefore be liable to pay a fine to enter the capital, RoadTransport.com reports.

Transport for London maintains that it is "very pleased" with the level of awareness of the scheme, but exhaust manufacturer Eminox said that the organisation may have underestimated how many logistics vehicles will have to be retrofitted with the right equipment.

Graham Richmond of Richmond Transport said that the scheme was "ill-advised and hauliers were ill-informed".

Meanwhile, a water pumping firm from Croydon nearly folded when the LEZ plan was announced, because it did not think it could afford the required upgrades.

Steve Hoad of Hydro-Cleansing told the Wimbledon Guardian: "It was either folding or spending £786,000 on updating or replacing everything which was what we had to do in the end. Even two lorries made in 2002 had to be updated.

"There was no consultation at all, the mayor just decided to bring it in. We were lucky that we could afford it but many companies can't."

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User Comments

i am a small firm how am i to meet the cost when it comes in my truck is worth half is value to sell on dont no what to do ps done this with the black cabs did that work dont think so another tax on truck owners cheers ken .its about as good as when ken run the glc another balls up for london any way ken says it happens happy 2008 .no smoke in london but more people going belly up

i am a small firm how am i to meet the cost when it comes in my truck is worth half is value to sell on dont no what to do ps done this with the black cabs did that work dont think so another tax on truck owners cheers ken .its about as good as when ken run the glc another balls up for london any way ken says it happens happy 2008 .no smoke in london but more people going belly up