Enforcement of new rules surrounding London’s Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) and Direct Vision Standard (DVS) will be delayed for at least four months after their introduction this October.
The decision was taken by Transport for London at the request of the city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan.
It recognises the fact that the coronavirus pandemic would make it more challenging for those in the rod freight sector to become fully compliant.
Though fleet and vehicle operators have been readying themselves for the changes for some time, the pandemic has disrupted supply chains and placed additional pressures on the industry.
TfL said postponing the enforcement of the new rules would allow the industry to focus on its core operations during the pandemic.
A TfL statement read, “We remain committed to working together to tackle some of London’s biggest challenges, including road danger and air quality. Tightened emissions standards for buses, coaches, lorries and specialist vehicles – in line with the tough requirements in place for the central London Ultra Low Emission Zone – will help clean up London’s air and save lives.
Meanwhile the DVS will reduce danger to vulnerable road users by introducing a safety permit system for HGVs, assigning vehicles a star rating based on how much the driver can see directly through their cab window.”
Although the new rules under both schemes will still legally come into force on 26 October, no charges will be payable or enforced for non-compliant vehicles under those new standards until the end of February 2021. The new date for the start of enforcement will be kept under review. Full details of LEZ scheme here https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/low-emission-zone/changes-to-the-lez and the DVS here https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/deliveries-in-london/delivering-safely/direct-vision-in-heavy-goods-vehicles
