FTA urges government to rethink Clean air Zones

The UK’s Freight Transport Association (FTA) says exempting cars from the proposed Clean Air Zones in five English cities is a missed opportunity to significantly improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that Birmingham, Leeds, Southampton, Nottingham and Derby would be required to introduce Clean Air Zones to reduce concentrations of nitrogen dioxide by 2020 at the latest.
December 21, 2015 Read time: 2 mins

The UK’s 6983 Freight Transport Association (FTA) says exempting cars from the proposed Clean Air Zones in five English cities is a missed opportunity to significantly improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.
 
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that Birmingham, Leeds, Southampton, Nottingham and Derby would be required to introduce Clean Air Zones to reduce concentrations of nitrogen dioxide by 2020 at the latest.
 
In Birmingham and Leeds, the Clean Air Zone will cover HGVs, light goods vehicles, buses, coaches and taxis, while in Southampton, Nottingham and Derby only HGVs, buses, coaches and taxis will be included.
 
HGVs will need to be Euro VI or above to access the Clean Air Zones or face a charge. All ultra-low emission vehicles will be given free access, providing a much needed incentive to invest in alternatively fuelled vehicles and low carbon technologies.
 
FTA has expressed reservations regarding Clean Air Zones as they are relatively expensive and potentially disruptive options that deliver limited results.  Providing that the timescale is sufficient, larger fleet operators should be able to comply. However there is real concern for small fleet operators whose business model may preclude them from purchasing new vehicles ahead of schedule.  
 
For diesel vans, the Euro 6 requirement does not come into force until September 2016.  Therefore a large number of operators will have substantially pre-Euro 6 van fleets in 2020 – especially those who utilise second-hand vehicles.

Rachael Dillon, FTA’s climate change policy manager, said: “FTA recognises the urgent need for the UK to meet EU air quality targets and to improve local air quality for residents.  We also recognise that the freight sector must contribute.  But to fail to include cars - a major source of pollutants - in such plans is baffling. We would urge Defra to rethink.  If we are to meet air quality targets, surely all road transport must be covered? The Ultra-Low Emission Zone in London from 2020 will include cars.”

Urban Traffic Control Air Quality & Weather Systems

Related Content

  • January 9, 2015
    Bristol to test new green bus technology
    The city of Bristol in the UK is to pilot the latest green technology for buses thanks to a US$1.5 million grant from the Government to coincide with the city’s year as European Green Capital. Baroness Kramer, minister of State for Transport, announced today that Bristol will receive funding to purchase a number of new hybrid buses which can switch from diesel to electric automatically in low emission zones. The grant from the green bus fund will be used to purchase a number of hybrid buses with geo-f
    Read More
  • May 8, 2017
    UK government publishes new air quality plan for consultation
    The UK government has published a draft plan to improve air quality by reducing nitrogen dioxide levels in the country. The options now open for consultation on reducing nitrogen dioxide in our towns and cities are designed to reduce the impact of diesel vehicles, and accelerate the move to cleaner transport. Local authorities are already responsible for improving air quality in their area, but will now be expected to develop new and creative solutions to reduce emissions as quickly as possible, while avoid
    Read More
  • September 22, 2014
    FTA disappointed at Dartford free-flow toll delay
    ‘The delay of the introduction of free-flow tolls at Dartford River Crossing disappointing as it may present additional costs to industry’ is the message from the Freight Transport Association (FTA). The Association has voiced its concern in response to the announcement by the Highways Agency (HA) that the planned technology to allow motorists to use the crossing without having to stop at barriers and pay is to be delayed by up to four weeks. Originally planned to be in place by the 28 October 2014, th
    Read More
  • June 8, 2016
    Transport Ministers call for clarity on NOx emissions, UK begins research project
    On 7 June, EU Transport Ministers debated on the best way to cut NOx emissions from diesel cars in the wake of the VW scandal. They reflected on possible ways to improve existing legislation to avoid illegal use of defeat devices and explored what technical solutions could already minimise emissions. The Dutch Presidency encouraged Member States to share the findings of their enquiries with other. The proposal to update Euro 5 legislation on the use of defeat devices would have increased uncertainties, rath
    Read More

Highlighted Content