21st January 2008
London hauliers get 28 days to clean up their act
Transport for London (TfL) has been praised by small business leaders, after adding a 28-day "grace period" to its new Low Emission Zone (LEZ) legislation.
The LEZ scheme, which launches in February, will fine heavily polluting vehicles that drive into Greater London. Responding to concerns raised by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), TfL adjusted the rules, giving firms time to bring their vehicles up to standard.
Polluters, who will predominantly be haulage businesses, will be allowed 28 days after a first warning letter to show they are taking steps to lower vehicle emissions.
During this period they will not receive further fines and, if they can prove they have "sought to comply with emissions standards", they will be able to apply to have all previous fines refunded.
Chris Glen, Transport Chair of the FSB, said: "We support the principle of improving London’s air quality but we need to make sure people are aware of the scheme in advance and can make changes so costs can be kept low."
"Transport for London's approach to the introduction of the scheme is very welcome news indeed. This will give businesses that weren't aware of the scheme more time to prepare."
The LEZ scheme, which launches in February, will fine heavily polluting vehicles that drive into Greater London. Responding to concerns raised by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), TfL adjusted the rules, giving firms time to bring their vehicles up to standard.
Polluters, who will predominantly be haulage businesses, will be allowed 28 days after a first warning letter to show they are taking steps to lower vehicle emissions.
During this period they will not receive further fines and, if they can prove they have "sought to comply with emissions standards", they will be able to apply to have all previous fines refunded.
Chris Glen, Transport Chair of the FSB, said: "We support the principle of improving London’s air quality but we need to make sure people are aware of the scheme in advance and can make changes so costs can be kept low."
"Transport for London's approach to the introduction of the scheme is very welcome news indeed. This will give businesses that weren't aware of the scheme more time to prepare."
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