Mayor to blame for Low Emission Zone chaos - Pope

6.54.00pm GMT Mon 4th Feb 2008

Confusion over the Mayor's new Low Emissions Zone came to a head today as hundreds of bewildered drivers were confronted by signs on the M25 warning of the arrival of the LEZ. Commenting on the LEZ, which went live this morning, Geoff Pope, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson on the London Assembly said:

"This chaos was wholly predictable. Mayor Livingstone has outdoor posters all over London with the vacuous slogan 'Cleaner Air for Greater London'. In fact, TfL's own figures suggest that the LEZ will only reduce transport-related emissions by around 0.3%.

"What drivers needed were the facts. Livingstone preferred to spend taxpayers' money on promoting himself - highly questionable in the run-up to an election.

"The scheme has been rushed through to score an election point. But freight operators can't get the upgrades done because there aren't enough garages to fit the right equipment.

"Some small businesses have had to pay over £25,000 to comply - a longer timescale would have been much fairer. Large numbers will simply not upgrade and give up coming into London. This is not good in keeping London open for business."

Note to Editors:

1. The Federation for Small Businesses recent survey reports a huge problem for operators getting their vehicles to be compliant. TfL have had to offer a concession until April that where operators can show they have booked the vehicle in for the necessary work, the fine will be refunded.

2. FSB report that 35% of those surveyed were unaware of the LEZ scheme. 23% of operators surveyed had had to upgrade vehicles. Of these, 65% had to pay more than £5,000; 45% more than £10K, and 27% more than £25K.