Business calls for greater guidance on LEZ
Date: 04 December 2007
Ahead of the introduction of London's Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in February 2008, a leading business organisation is calling for better guidance for haulage firms.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has claimed that Transport for London (TfL) is not doing enough to inform owner operators and haulage companies of the scheme.
According to the organisation, TfL consulted with fewer than five per cent of the 103,000 operator licence holders in the UK before giving the LEZ the go-ahead and many hauliers are now seeking help adhering to the new rules from the FSB.
"With over half of all UK lorries passing through the capital at least once a year the scheme will have a huge impact on the haulage industry," said Chris Glen, FSB transport chairman.
The LEZ will go into force on February 4th, 2008 and will initially apply to diesel lorries over 12 tonnes, expanding to those over 3.5 tonnes in July, 2008. Qualifying vehicles entering the zone must meet Euro III emissions standards or face a daily charge.
Mr Glen said that TfL " has a great deal of work to do" to improve awareness among hauliers ahead of implementation.
"If TfL fail to publicise the scheme properly, hauliers will feel that they have been tricked into paying a stealth tax," he added. "This would damage the image of a well-intentioned project to address the urgent issue of air quality in London."
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