Low Emission Zones
A low emission zone (LEZ) is an area where only the cleanest vehicles are allowed entry, in order to reduce exhaust emissions from road transport and thereby improve local air quality. A number of local authorities are considering the creation of LEZs as part of their statutory Air Quality Action Plans, required under the Environment Act 1995 to help meet local air quality objectives.
An LEZ were established in London on 4th February 2008, following a study which was carried out in 2003, looking at the likely costs and benefits and how it could be implemented. The scheme would encourage operators of HGVs, buses, coaches and light goods vehicles to reduce their emissions by either replacing or modifying their older diesel-engine vehicles; those wishing to enter Central London with non-compliant vehicles would have to pay a significant daily charge. Click here for further details.
A number of local authorities are also looking into the possibility of introducing LEZs in their area.
The Cleaner Transport Forum have been looking at this area for several years and carried out research with funding from the BOC Foundation and the Department for Transport, which resulted in the publication of a series of factsheets: