Transport for London has announced that forthcoming changes to the capital’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) that will mandate Euro VI compliance of coaches and buses in the LEZ will now not be enforced until “at least” the end of February 2021.
The change to rules that require Euro VI for coaches and buses in the LEZ will still legally come into force on the planned date of 26 October.
However, no daily charges for non-compliance will be payable or enforced until four months beyond that at the soonest. The revised February 2021 date for LEZ enforcement in London “will be kept under review”, says TfL.
Disruption to supply chains during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is the reason given for the postponement of enforcement. TfL says the current situation will make it “more difficult for the new standards to be met one time.”
Although the postponement has been decided on to suit the freight sector, a TfL spokesperson has confirmed to routeone that it captures coaches and buses.
TfL has already suspended the LEZ and Ultra Low Emission Zone until further notice because of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. It says that work is continuing on a financial package to help the upgrade of vehicles to comply with the enhanced LEZ standards. Details will be announced later this year.
