London Congestion Charging

Central London Congestion Charging Zone

Average daily traffic entering charging zone*

Normally Charge Paying Normally Non-Charge Paying

Congestion Charging led to a dramatic and immediate reduction in the volumes of traffic in central London – and profoundly changed the pattern of vehicles seen

Six years on, the impact on traffic levels is even more pronounced than when the scheme was first introduced

* During charging hours (07.00-18.00)

Congestion levels in charging zone

* Moving car observer surveys - during charging hours (07.00-18.00)

-30%-22%

-8%-0%

-4%-8%

2.1 min/km

Air Quality in London

Despite significant improvements in recent years, London's air pollution is still a concern and contributes to:

4,000 premature deaths in London in 2008 (GLA health report)

50,000 deaths in the UK annually (UK Environmental Audit Committee in 2009)

Heavier diesel vehicles are a major source of air pollution that affects people with asthma, chest and heart conditions: it’s the poorest, the old, the very young and the sick that suffer most.

Mayoral obligation

2001 – Feasibility Study into reducing traffic emissions

2003 – Detailed study into implementing LEZ

2004 – LEZ is Mayoral manifesto commitment

2005 – Strategic Review into LEZ

2005 – TfL asked to consult with public and stakeholders on Strategy Revisions (principle of a LEZ)

2006 – Mayor approved Strategy Revisions, with modifications, following public consultation

2007– Consultation on Scheme Order (details of LEZ)

May 2007 – Mayor Approves LEZ Scheme Order

2010- consultation on Mayors Transport Strategy, Mayors Air Quality Strategy & LEZ scheme order to defer introduction of vans and minibuses to 2012

LEZ :targeting the most polluting

Changes in 2012: going a step further

HGVs, Buses and Coaches :

A Euro III rigid truck produces 5 times the PM of a Euro IV vehicle

Changes in 2012: going a step further

Larger Vans and Minibuses: targets 12% of dirtiest vehicles only

A 15 year old van produces 4 times the PM pollution of a 9 yr old (Euro 3) van

LEZ Impacts• Since its Introduction in 2008 LEZ has had a real impact on pollution saving 28

tonnes of particulate matter which is equal to saving – 127 million km driven by a Euro III Artic– that is 160 return trips to the moon or – approximately 677,000 times around the M25

LEZ reduces pollution at the road site – where the pollution is heaviest and targets the kind of pollution – fine particles - which are most hazardous to health.

The LEZ changes in 2012 will deliver around twice these reductions in air pollution -critical to London meeting legal air quality standards.

Including vans and minibuses will give children with chest complaints over 12,000 days free from suffering symptoms and adults almost 18,000 days

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Conclusions

» CC & LEZ address specific London issues» TfL does not support any move to harmonisation» EU could significantly mitigate impacts of multiple zones by

» Encouraging best practice re consultation» Ensure schemes recognise and cater for visitors including

information in a minimum number of languages, remote payment and registration etc

» Standardisation of vehicle documentation to enable age, weight, seats, CO2 and air quality emissions to be determined easily

» Standardisation of retrofit documentation » Expand central information resource » Strengthen facility for cross border enforcement