CLASSICS FACE NEW EMISSION ZONE THREATS
Transport for London decides to expand anti-pollution area – now Edinburgh and other cities look into emission zones too
More cities across the UK are drawing up plans to introduce emissions zones, following London’s decision to expand its Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) from next year.
While Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that tax-exempt vehicles will still be exempt in the enlarged zone, bordered by the North Circular and South Circular roads, there’s no guarantee at this stage that planned zones in Edinburgh, Nottingham and Oxford will make the same provisions, and owners of post-1978 classics are likely to be hit by charges aimed at newer cars, particularly diesels. Organisations opposed to London’s zone include the National Association of Wedding Car Professionals, which fears that it could set a precedent.
A spokesman said: ‘London has long been considered by many as setting the benchmark for clean air zones, so all the towns and cities tasked by the UK Government to reduce emissions will be taking a good look at what London is doing.’
Owners of newer classics travelling in to and out of London are to face charges as high as £24 a day from next April.
Historic Vehicles escape the new Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) supplement, which Transport for London (TfL) says will replace the Toxicity Charge (T-Charge), but owners of younger cars will face the charges – and other UK cities are thinking of following suit.
London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, said: ‘These measures will help improve the air that millions of Londoners breathe. I want to announce my intention to consult on these proposals in good time so that business and those affected by new charges will have time to make changes they need to adapt to our low emission requirements.’ Having won ULEZ concessions in 2016, the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) expect it to be maintained into next year when the ULEZ begins its first stage, and again in 2021 when the ULEZ is extended out to the North and South Circular routes – covering an area of more than 350 square miles.
Improving local air quality has taken on increasing significance in the capital; outside London, the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) identified more than 50 cities in England and Scotland failing to meet nitrous oxide and particulate standards, with Wales expected to confirm details of its own non-compliant cities later this year.
Oxford and Nottingham have already begun to consult with stakeholders on plans that will decide the future of classic vehicles in congested areas; Glasgow and Edinburgh recently released details of ULEZ and clean air zone schemes heavily inspired by London’s example, which in turn will inform plans for schemes elsewhere in Scotland, including Aberdeen and Dundee. Classic Car Weekly is in the process of seeking assurances from both councils that owners of historic vehicles will be protected from charges and restrictions within the zones, and to clarify the situation for newer classics.
The FBHVC says that it is hoping to build on its success in winning an exemption for tax-exempt classics within the London ULEZ, and plans to deal with cities across the UK on a case-by-case basis. Communications director, Geoff Lancaster, said: ‘ We are well aware that the arguments for allowing historic vehicles into other emissions-controlled cities will have to be presented on a case-bycase basis.
‘As with London, we will make each council aware of the low mileage and resulting negligible impact historic vehicles will have on local air quality – as backed up by our research in the National Historic Vehicle Survey 2016.’