London Square Mile set for zero emission zone

The City of London Corporation has set plans to lower traffic by 50% while making London’s business district the country’s first Zero Emission Zone. Over the course of the next decade the traffic will be lowered by 25%, researchers are hoping to reach 50% by 2044. 

It has been confirmed initial smaller zones will also be applied in other areas across the city. This will be different from the London Congestion Charge and Ultra-Low Emissions Zone. With loaders facing further restrictions, officials are planning to arrange grouped deliveries on smaller more environmental vehicles within the area.

Policy manager for vans and urban transport at the FTA, Denise Beedell, spoke on the matter: “These proposals showcase the City of London’s long-term and serious commitment to improving air quality and road safety, both of which are of the utmost importance to the FTA and its members.”
“While we applaud many aspects of the proposals – such as priority parking access for commercial vehicles – there are several other areas that need reconsidering, the flagship initiative of the scheme is the introduction of a Zero Emission Zone covering the east of the City and the Barbican area by 2022. This is a premature move – zero emission vehicles are currently not commercially viable and greater investment is needed into their development”

“Firstly, initial purchasing costs of electric vehicles must be reduced to it to become an affordable and realistic option for businesses of all sizes. Secondly, there is insufficient charging infrastructure in place. While FTA notes the proposals include a potential charging hub, a nationwide infrastructure strategy is needed for long term feasibility”

“This is just another example of the government’s fragmented and patchwork approach to air quality and road traffic reduction schemes. London needs a planned and coordinated approach, not the patchwork of different schemes we are getting from Hackney Council – its City Fringe Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Streets Scheme came into force last month 0- and now the City of London”

“This extends nationwide, with clean air zones of different sizes, start dates and charges being introduced across several UK cities. This approach is confusing and unhelpful for the logistics businesses and can make it challenging for them to put appropriate plans in place.”

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