Low-emission zone benefits 'not high'

14 February 2007
 
Mayor Ken Livingstone’s £130M low-emission zone for charging more polluting lorries to enter Greater London would deliver ‘minimal air quality benefits’, according to London Councils.
Borough scepticism over the detail of the LEZ turned into outright opposition last week, as London Councils’ noted the increased cost estimate for business deliveries – up from £390M to as much as £470M – and possible low reductions in particulate pollution.
Transport for London’s own figures show that the LEZ would, by 2010, ‘have virtually no impact at all on the reduction in emissions in PM10s’, the response notes. Particulates could be cut by 11.3% in 2010 without the LEZ because of new European standards on emission levels, compared with the 11.6% reduction achieved with the LEZ. While there would be a more significant improvement in 2012 – the third of four implementation dates – this would merely ‘bring forward improvements in air quality by a few years’.
The comments came in London Council’s submission to the detailed proposals in the draft scheme order. Cllr Daniel Moylan, chairman of the London Councils transport and environment committee, said: ‘We cannot support a scheme that will cost millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money for miniscule benefits to Londoners.’ But Livingstone immediately hit back, saying he would not ‘pass the buck to central government’. The low-emission zone would bring forward air quality improvements ‘by three to four years, reducing harmful emissions by 14.7% in 2012,’ he said. Transport for London’s intention is to introduce the LEZ next February, should the mayor approve the scheme order.

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