London low emission zone

Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, there is a daily charge for driving the most individually polluting diesel-engine vehicles, if they do not meet low emission zone (LEZ) standards: Euro III for particulate matter for lorries between 3.5 and twelve tonnes, and for buses and coaches with more than eight seats, plus the driver's seat, over five tonnes. Cars, motorcycles and small vans are not included. The standards are due to increase in 2012.

The LEZ is enforced using cameras which read registration plates within the zone, which includes all public roads and certain motorways. The LEZ’s objective is to improve air quality in London. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has announced his intention to suspend the third phase of the LEZ, which was due to affect vans and minibuses from October 2010. The proposed changes to the scheme will be subject to public consultation and will need to be confirmed by the Mayor once he has reviewed the outcome of the consultation.

Related articles at MindsinMotion.net

• London LEZ success shames Amsterdam

Related organisations

• Transport for London (TfL)
  

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