Emission zone will target London freight drivers
Date: 29 January 2008
Freight drivers of large haulage vehicles will have to begin paying the London low emission zone (LEZ) charge from Monday (February 4th) if they want to enter the capital.
The new zone is designed to reduce pollution in London, but critics point out that it will still not target taxis, cars and many haulage vans.
Speaking to ThisIsLondon, a spokesman for business group London First said: "The low emission zone misses the point: it doesn't target CO2 pollution and ignores fumes belched out by taxis, cars and most vans."
Road haulage companies are also angry about the new charge, because it could cost the logistics industry up to £300 million to comply, seriously denting the profitability of the delivery of loads in the capital, and still only provide maximum economic benefits of £240 million.
Mayor Ken Livingstone claims that thousands of Londoners suffer poor health because of traffic pollution.
From February 4th, the LEZ scheme will apply to the largest haulage trucks. However, Transport for London has introduced a 28-day warning period for road haulage companies.
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