Diesel charge proposed

9:16am Tuesday 5th December 2006

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Richmond's transport chief has said he will be "watching closely" as a consultation begins on a plan to reduce carbon emissions by making polluting diesel engine vehicles pay to drive in Greater London.

Last week Mayor of London Ken Livingstone announced a detailed Transport for London (TfL) consultation on a London-wide Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) which, if approved, would see diesel engine lorries, coaches and buses that fail to meet a minimum pollution standard face having to pay a charge if they drive within Greater London from 2008.

The scheme, designed to improve London's air quality and Londoners health, by encouraging operators of large diesel vehicles to clean up their fleets, could go live as early as February 2008 and it is proposed that by 2010 the scheme would be extended to heavier diesel engine light goods vehicles and minibuses.

From 2012 the emissions standard for Heavy Goods Vehicles, buses and coaches would be tightened even further.

TfL published the scheme last week and consultation on the plans will run until February 2.

Leaflets for the public and operators have been produced and following the consultation the Mayor will decide whether or not to confirm the proposals with or without modifications.

The current proposal is for the zone to operate 365 days a year and starting with vehicles over 12 tonnes with coaches, buses and lighter lorries, between 3.5 and 12 tonnes, to be given more time to comply and be brought into the scope of the LEZ from mid-2008.

The proposed boundary means that the whole of Richmond upon Thames would fall inside, except the extreme west of the borough.

Upper Sunbury Road, Thames Street and Hampton Court Road in Hampton form part of the border with vehicles driving on those roads and further out of London excluded from any charge.

Mr Livingstone said: "The proposed LEZ is the most effective way of quickly reducing pollutants that are among the most harmful to human health.

"It will make London one of the first cities in the world to have taken such a radical step to tackle air pollution and safeguard our environment.

"London suffers the worst air quality in the UK and amongst the worst in Europe.

"We want people living, working and visiting London to benefit from better air quality and to live longer and healthier lives."

Councillor David Trigg, Richmond upon Thames Council cabinet member for traffic, transport and parking, said: "We welcome all efforts to reduce CO2 emissions throughout the capital and proposed Low Emission Zone is a major step towards achieving this goal.

"Any attempt to encourage drivers to switch to cleaner, less polluting vehicles must be applauded.

"Richmond Council is currently consulting residents and businesses on its proposals to link the cost of residents' parking permits to CO2 emissions - part of our ongoing effort to make Richmond the most sustainable borough in London.

"We will be watching developments on the Low Emissions Zone with great interest."