Localism drives further urban restrictions
FTA policy manager Chris Yarsley warned delegates at the FTA Transport Manager Conference of an increasing number of environmental restrictions soon to be imposed on transport operators by local authorities, starting with London and Glasgow – while time was also running out for the many operators who had not yet assessed their fleet vehicles’ compliance with the London Direct Vision Standard (DVS).
“All clean air zones (CAZ) will only allow free access for Euro 6 diesel vans and trucks,” he cautioned. “The CAZs are mandated for Euro 6 only – there are no concessions possible for Euro 5 vehicles. Euro 5s will probably have to pay £10 per van and £100 per truck daily charge.”
But it didn’t end there.
“Oxford is looking at a Zero Emission Zone, and last September, Hackney intro-duced eight Ultra Low Emission Zone-standard streets for peak hours, with only three weeks’ warning. The ULEZs apply from 7-10am and 4-7pm.”
The FTA was working to try to mitigate some of the damage that these measures might cause.
“We are asking for routes to DVSA authorised testing facilities (ATFs) to be made exempt, and cities to work together to produce a single registration and charging portfolio for CAZs across the country.”
In Birmingham, small operators may be able to get an exemption for one or two Euro 5 vehicles, providing they were purchased before the proposals were published, he revealed.
Turning to the London Direct Vision Standard, he explained that this would apply to all HGVs of over 12 tonnes GVW from 26 October 2020, and that permits to enter the city would only be issued to trucks achieving a star rating of one or more. Vehicles not qualifying under the star rating would need to be fitted with safety gear such as cameras, “but it is ‘outcome-based’ so there is no list of approved equipment,” he said.
Star ratings were now available from manufacturers for all Euro 6 trucks.
Modified vehicles would need a post-build re-assessment.
“TfL don’t know how this will happen,” he added.
“Driver training in vulnerable road user awareness will not be compulsory, but is recommended,” he added.
The FTA advised its members to choose trucks with a three-star rating for London operations, as this would eventually be the minimum standard.
