Ultra-Low Emissions Streets

The Road Haulage Association is surprised at the decision by Hackney and Islington councils to ban petrol and diesel vehicles from several streets in the two London boroughs.

Ultra-Low Emissions Streets sees non-compliant vehicles prohibited from nine roads near Old Street during peak times in a bid – the councils say – to reduce emissions. Non-compliant vehicles face £130 fines.

The local authorities have drawn up their own emissions standard (75g/km of CO2) rather than using NOx levels applied in other CAZ/LEZ areas.

RHA chief executive, Richard Burnett believes that this sets a precedent for other councils nationwide to impose ill-conceived measures to tackle their failures to manage pollution levels.

He said, ‘It’s the thin end of the wedge for motorists and businesses if local authorities make up their own emissions standards and impose punitive charges to enforce them.

‘This is indicative of a worrying anti-vehicle, anti-trade mindset in local government that fails to understand the need for businesses to be able to move goods when customers need them.’