Low emission zone
Low Emission Zone | |
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A Low emission zone, a Clean air zone or similar is a geographic area with restrictions on vehicle entry, based on emission standards. Vehicles which do not meet the standards are typically subject to a daily charge to enter or drive in the zone. Some zones have other restrictions on speed, parking or loading.
Early zones
The Environment Act 1995 places a statutory duty on Local Authorities to monitor and manage air quality. Low emission zones are one option for achieving this. The UK's first Low emission zones were the London Low Emission Zone[1] and Norwich Low Emission Zone,[2] both launched in 2008. The Norwich zone was modest in scope, focused solely on bus companies; London's zone, championed by Ken Livingstone as Mayor of London, was far more ambitious, covering lorries, buses, coaches, large vans (exceeding 1.205 tonnes unladen weight) and minibuses (over eight seats plus the driver's seat and below 5 tonnes) in most of Greater London.
Post emissions scandal
The 2015 Volkswagen emissions scandal[3] raised the profile of the role of vehicles, and particularly diesel vehicles, in contributing to air pollution levels. This in turn increased pressure on local authorities to meet their obligations with regards to air pollution; despite falling levels, air pollution in 2017 remained above legal in limits in over 40 UK towns and cities.[4][5]
This pressure has led to a new wave of emissions zones being implemented or proposed in the late 2010s. The majority of new zones initially were targeted at buses and/or HGVs,[6]but many include proposals to be extended to all vehicles which fail to meet emissions standards at a later stage. The first comprehensive zone covering all vehicles, the London Ultra Low Emission Zone, was introduced in April 2019, covering the same area as the London Congestion Charge, affecting all vehicles.[7]
Current and Approved zones
Current and Approved Zones | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zone | Main Locations | Highway Authorities | Vehicles | Date | Future plans |
Brighton Low Emission Zone | Brighton | Brighton and Hove Council | Buses | 2015 | |
Glasgow Low Emission Zone | Glasgow | Glasgow Council | Buses | 2018 | All vehicles by 2022 |
London Low Emission Zone | London | Transport for London | Buses, HGVS, LGVS | 2008 | |
London Ultra Low Emission Zone | Central London | Transport for London | All vehicles | 2019 | |
Norwich Low Emission Zone | Norwich | Norfolk Council | Buses | 2008 |
Proposed zones
Proposed Zones | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zone | Main Locations | Highway Authorities | Vehicles | Date | Website |
Birmingham Clear Air Zone | Birmingham | Birmingham Council | All vehicles | 2020 | [8] |
Leeds Clean Air Charging Zone | Leeds | Leeds Council | HGVs, buses and taxis/private hire | 2020 | [9] |
Oxford Zero Emission Zone | Oxford | Oxfordshire Council | All vehicles - parking and loading | 2020 | [10] |
Southampton Proposals | Southampton | Southampton Council | Buses, Coaches, Taxis and HGV | [11] | |
Tynside Low Emisssions Proposals | Newcastle upon Tyne • Gateshead | Gateshead Council • Newcastle upon Tyne Council • North Tyneside Council | Various proposals in consultation | [12] |
Cancelled proposals
Proposed zones have been cancelled in Nottingham[13] and Derby.[14]