The decision to axe the Mayor of London’s programme of financial incentives for van drivers who want to switch to more environmentally friendly vehicles, is short sighted, according to the Lead Member for Highways and Air Quality at Richmond Council.

Since its launch in February 2019, the TfL scrappage scheme for vans and minibuses has supported small-businesses and charities to replace vehicles that don't meet the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) standards.

The scheme has committed over £30 million to help thousands of small and micro-businesses prepare both for the central London ULEZ from April 2019, and for the ULEZ extension to the North and South Circulars in October 2021.

Local authorities and the public were given just a few days notice that the scheme would be axed on 28 August, a year before ULEZ is due to operate and before many businesses may have been planning to upgrade their vehicles.

Cllr Alexander Ehmann, said:

“This is very disappointing and short-sighted. We need to encourage as many local people and businesses as possible to switch to less polluting forms of transport. But for many – the switch is a financial challenge. We know the enormous financial pressures that are facing TfL, but to give people a handful of days before pulling the scheme is simply not good enough.”

Any van scrappage applications submitted prior to 17:00 on 28 August will be processed as normal.

Applicants that have already been accepted to the scheme and have received a confirmation of eligibility letter can continue to scrap their vehicles and submit evidence to claim their grant payment in accordance with the scheme terms and conditions.

Eligible charities who want to scrap a minibus (up to 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight) after Friday 28 August 2020 should contact TfL using the online enquiry form by visiting: tfl.gov.uk/scrappage-scheme.