London councils target plant emissions

The London Best Practice Guidance has been published, marking the start of the public consultation on Transport for London’s (TfL) Low Emissions Zone (LEZ).
 
London Mayor Ken Livingstone said: “With the 2012 Games and regeneration throughout the Thames Gateway, London will see decades of construction. It is therefore essential that we do all we can to reduce these particulate emissions, which are harmful to health and exacerbate respiratory conditions."

Merrick Cockell, chairman of London Councils, said: “Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and fine particles are predicted to exceed their safe levels across most of London.” These fine particles, known as PM10s, are blamed for 1,000 accelerated deaths and 1,000 extra respiratory hospital admissions per year.

To reduce PM10s, the guide specifies using low sulphur diesel wherever possible and that plant over 37kW used on major sites should be fitted with a diesel particulate filter.

The CPA has said it will write to all London councils urging them not to adopt the code and has expressed hope that TfL’s LEZ proposals may offer exemptions for some plant and mainly apply to drivers of vans and trucks.

The Best Practice Guidance is available online and comments on Tfl’s proposals can be made until 2 February on http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/low-emission-zone/consultation.asp#questionnaires.