Millions of drivers are ‘unfairly targeted’ by pollution charges
£12.50 20
MILLIONS of motorists will be “unfairly penalised” when they drive in town and city centres following the introduction of ultra-low emission zones, claims a campaign group.
Cars and vans made before 2006 and diesel vehicles before 2015 will face a £12.50 charge to enter central London from April 8. Twenty councils, including Birmingham, are planning similar moves.
In the capital, motorists would also have to pay the £11.50 congestion charge to drive in the centre on a week day. This is a separate scheme set up in 2003 to reduce high traffic flow and pollution.
Taxis could be forced to pay £50 a day and lorries £100 a day in some schemes.
Failure to pay the charge, which would apply 365 days a year, would mean a £160 fine or £80 if paid in 14 days.
New ultra-low emissions zones (Ulez) will target older cars in a move to tackle rising levels of air pollution linked to thousands of deaths a year.
Lorries, vans, minibuses, motorbikes, buses and emergency vehicles will also be affected.
Cars made after 2006 will be exempt along with electric cars and most hybrids. Some councils plan to introduce concessions and not all schemes include charges for private cars, but it is unclear how many will be exempt.
The introduction of the zone follows new government regulations to bring nitrogen dioxide levels within the legal limit in the shortest possible time. Critics have welcomed the move to clean up air quality but fear the scheme will hit the less well-off.
Hugh Bladon, of the campaign group Alliance of British Drivers, said: “Wealthy people can change their cars every two or three years. The people who will be most affected by this are those least able to afford to change their car frequently. They are being penalised and it is unfair.”
London’s air is considered the dirtiest in Europe. Studies have found alarming levels of pollution in areas around 360 primary schools, GPs’ surgeries and hospitals. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the zone would have the toughest emissions standards for vehicles in the world.
But Rob Jackson, who lives in London, said: “Those who can’t afford to replace their vehicles or pay this ridiculous charge will be forced off the road.”
Outside London, 20 councils plan to introduce the Ulez zones as part of the Government’s Clean Air Framework which gives councils the power to tackle local pollution.
Birmingham plans to introduce pollution charges of up to £10 on cars in the city’s ring road in 2020.
In Leeds there are plans to charge the most polluting lorries, buses and taxis up to £50 a day to enter a new clean air zone. However, private cars and vans will be exempt.
Bath has plans to charge drivers £9 a day to drive on its Georgian streets. Other areas including Aberdeen, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Derby, Dundee, Edinburgh, Fareham, Glasgow, Manchester, Reading, Sheffield, Slough, Southampton, Warrington and York may also introduce charges.
Martin Tett, at the Local Government Association, said: “Councils are working with government to ensure we tackle air pollution and the damage it does to people’s long-term health.”