Vehicles Driving Through Greater London Facing Strict Pollution Controls

The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was introduced in 2008 to encourage the most polluting vehicles driving in (and around) the Capital to become cleaner. To drive within it without paying a daily charge these vehicles must meet certain emissions standards that limit the amount of particulate matter (a type of pollution) coming from their exhausts.

With the Olympics little more than a year away, Britain faces fines from Europe and penalties from the IOC if the Mayor and London Boroughs fail to address concerns relating to air quality in the Capital, and continue to break air pollution laws. Research has suggested that London's high level of air pollution is lowering life expectancy and aggravating lung and heart diseases, respiratory allergies, and asthma. The fall out from this is that from 3 January 2012, the LEZ emissions standards will become more stringent. More vehicles will be affected, and those that are already affected will need to meet tighter emissions standards.

Affected vehicles include: Lorries, buses, coaches and heavy specialist vehicles Larger vans, minibuses and specialist diesel vehicles Cars and motorcycles are NOT affected For more information, you can visit the LEZ site at https://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/lez/default.aspx

Check here whether your vehicle is affected https://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/lez/17700.aspx

And view the area that the LEZ covers https://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/lez/17678.aspx#tkt-tab-panel-2