66 | Feature: ULEZ
SUMMARY
■The current ULEZ has reduced emissions in London by 26%
■The Mayor of London is proposing extending the zone from August 29
■The BMF is concerned that Greater London may become a no-go area for many SMEs
EMISSIONS MISSION
The proposed extension of the Ultra Low Emission Zone is causing concern among London trades and merchants
Road transport is the single biggest producer of nitrogen dioxide annually, with toxic air said to be killing 4,000 Londoners prematurely per year, while thousands more are at risk of developing illnesses such as cancer, asthma and lung disease. London may carry the moniker of ‘The Big
Smoke’ but the city’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) has done much to address this image since opening in April 2019. The scheme targets the city’s worst polluting vehicles through a daily charge and has had a transformational impact, reducing emissions by 26%. Currently, the zone covers all areas within the North and South Circular roads. But with Mayor Sadiq Khan planning to expand the scheme to encompass all London boroughs,
many more motorists will be pausing to consider how this will affect them. Of course, if the ULEZ expansion does go ahead, the impact on small businesses and tradespeople will be immense and it’s a great cause for concern among the timber and builders’ merchants’ fraternity. The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has written to the Mayor of London expressing its concern that Greater London may become a no-go area for many SME builders and other trades following the introduction of the expanded ULEZ zone in August.
It is set to be expanded on August 29, imposing a £12.50 daily charge on non- compliant vehicles across all London boroughs. This means that anyone using a
diesel van registered before September 2016 or petrol van registered before January 2006 will be charged to travel almost anywhere within the M25. “This is likely to impact SME tradespeople operating within the M25 as a significant proportion rely on non-compliant vehicles for their work,” said John Newcomb, BMF CEO. “We can foresee a reluctance on their part to accept new work within the Greater London boundary.
“This will have a knock-on effect for end customers, who will find it more difficult and costly to get work done. It will also affect sales turnover at merchant outlets within the new boundary, which will have consequences on the amounts of stock held and on their staffing levels. “We have, therefore, written to Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, calling for this policy to be reconsidered.”
The BMF’s action is endorsed by its members.
Above: The extension to the ULEZ would come into effect on August 29 PHOTO: LORNA ROBERTS/
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
TTJ | May/June 2023 |
www.ttjonline.com
Lords Builders Merchants has 13 branches employing 300 staff operating across Greater London. “We believe the introduction of the ULEZ extension will hurt the very people it is designed to assist,” said Shanker Patel, CEO. “Transport for London should look to delay the introduction until such time as the current high level of inflation reduces, so those affected can afford to change their vehicles.” “The proposed ULEZ expansion will hurt the residents, workers and tradespeople of London alike, at a time when many are already experiencing great financial hardship with the current cost of living crisis in the UK,” agreed Howard Luft, Selco CEO. “Although we fully appreciate the need to drive the impact of emissions down across the whole country, we are asking for more time for residents, tradespersons and workers to be able to adapt,” added Frank Elkins, chief operating officer at Travis Perkins.
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