Phase 3 of LEZ Suspended

Reprieve for small businesses as Mayor suspends phase three of Low Emission Zone

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, today announced his intention to suspend the third phase of the Low Emission Zone because of the detrimental impact it would have on London’s small businesses. He outlined how, whilst entirely committed to improving air quality, improvements can be achieved through other measures.

The move is part of the Mayor’s agenda to aid businesses during the economic downturn, and complements his £3bn Economic Recovery package to get London back on track. The Mayor has extended half price bus fares to Londoners on Job Seekers Allowance, introduced the 24 hour Freedom Pass, and free travel for war veterans, and has frozen the Council Tax precept for the first time.

The Low Emission Zone currently targets the most polluting lorries over 3.5 tonnes, buses and coaches, and the Mayor is 100 per cent committed to the existing phases 1 and 2 of the scheme, which have proved effective. Phase three of the scheme, planned by the previous Mayoral administration, was scheduled to start in October 2010 and would have affected much smaller vehicles, including vans and minibuses, and even family camper vans. Without these changes many of the owners of the 90,000 non-compliant vehicles that use the zone each year would have faced a bill of up to £2000 for abatement equipment, or £15,000 for a new vehicle. They would have alternatively faced £100 daily charges or fines of £500 for each day they entered Greater London. These costs could have tipped firms into receivership and caused job losses.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:

“I want to do all I can to ease the burden of the economic downturn that is affecting us all at this time. Although the Low Emission Zone has been successful in tackling the worst polluters, and will continue to play an important role, it is not the right time to press ahead with extending it to include smaller vehicles like vans and minibuses.

“Many of these will be owned by small businesses, charities, and self-employed Londoners already hard hit by the recession. Simply put, the cost of fitting pollution equipment or getting a new vehicle would have come as punch in the ribs to those who need our help at this time, would have destroyed profit margins, and endangered our businesses. I am confident that the new course we have set finds a balance between London’s environmental and economic needs and that we can lower emissions in more imaginative ways.”

The Mayor recently met with Lord Hunt to discuss Air Quality issues, and agreed that the GLA and Defra will work jointly on a package of measures, both national and regional, which will address PM10 emissions in London in order to meet EU targets. He has also written to Lord Mandelson, the Trade and Industry Secretary, with the aim of working together with the Government on a subsidy scheme for replacing the oldest, most polluting light goods vehicles. Such a scheme would help small businesses, improve the environment, and stimulate the UK automotive industry at a time of economic slowdown. In addition, Transport for London is delivering a range of initiatives focused on improving air quality.

The Low Emission Zone will continue to reduce emissions from the most individually polluting vehicles in London. The scheme standards will rise again for these vehicles in January 2012 when vehicles affected by phases one and two will have to meet the Euro IV standard for particulate matter to continue to drive within Greater London without charge.

The Mayor will begin the legal processes necessary to implement the proposal, which will involve public consultation on a revised Transport Strategy and a variation to the Low Emission Zone Scheme Order. The Mayor will take into account the views expressed in the consultations and decide whether or not to confirm his decision.
Notes to Editors

1. A draft revision to the Mayor’s Transport and Air Quality Strategies reflecting his intention to remove the third phase of the Low Emission Zone will be the subject of a 12-week public and stakeholder consultation scheduled for late summer 2009. TfL will also need to consult the public and stakeholders on the necessary changes to the Low Emission Zone Scheme Order before the Mayor can decide whether to formally remove phase three based upon the results of the consultation.
2. The Low Emission Zone was introduced on February 4 2008. Phase three of the Low Emission Zone was due to start on 4 October 2010 affecting light goods vehicles and vans up to 3.5 tonnes, minibuses under 5 tonnes, and specialist vehicles including motor caravans and horseboxes between 2.5 – 3.5 tonnes.

Updated: 06/02/09 – 13:12

The London LEZ

The low emission zone was introduced to combat air pollution in London, it affects all diesel engined Vans, Lorries, Motor Caravans and Mini Buses over 1.2 tonnes unladen weight. The LEZ commenced on 4th February 2008 and operates within the Greater London boundary 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Apart from a small area in Essex the boundary is wholly within the M25, the M25 itself is not included in the zone. TFL (transport for London) are using number plate recognition cameras strategically placed on all major trunk roads into London along with mobile cameras elsewhere to police the scheme.

The most relevant part for DJ’s/Entertainers will probably be vans over 1.2t unladen, this includes transits etc. The start date for this class of vehicle is 4th October 2010 At the time of writing these vehicles will need to meet euro 3 standards for particulate matter to enter the zone without charge. All vehicles first registered after 1st January 2002 are assumed to meet the standard. There are a few euro1/2 engines that do meet the euro 3 standard so you are advised to check your own vehicle with TFL at www.tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon or by calling 0845 607 0009.

The daily charge for vehicles not meeting the standard is £100, please bear in mind that if you go into the zone for an evening gig it is likely that you will be coming back out on a different day therefore you will have to pay the charge twice. You will be able to pay the charge online, by phone or post up to 64 days in advance or up to midnight on the first working day after travelling in the zone.