Khan urged to work with logistics industry on road charging

Sadiq Khan has announced plans to consult with TfL on expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone London-wide in 2023, whilst ruling out the Clean Air Charge and the Greater London Boundary Charge.

The Mayor of London said that the long-term and fairest solution to the challenges of vehicle congestion, air quality and cleaner vehicles will ultimately be smart road user charging. This would enable all existing road user charges, such as the Congestion Charge and ULEZ, to be scrapped and replaced with a smarter, simpler and fair scheme that charges motorists on a per mile basis.
 
Commenting on future road charging schemes, Logistics UK’s Head of Policy – South, Natalie Chapman, comments: “Logistics UK looks forward to working with the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) on the details of its expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone. We are encouraged that the Clean Air Charge and Greater London Boundary Charge are not being pursued as these would have been unlikely to have delivered the desired air quality results. Improved air quality is crucial for all those living and working in London but the practical solutions which are to be implemented must recognise the essential role logistics vehicles play across the capital.
 
“Logistics UK is urging both the Mayor and TfL to work with the logistics industry to ensure a proportionate and joined up approach to road user charging. It is encouraging that long-term solutions are being sought and the idea of a simpler, clearer scheme to replace the capital’s various road user charges could make implementation easier for those responsible for keeping the capital supplied with everything that its businesses and residents need. Any London-specific road charging scheme must be flexible and adapt to the possible introduction of any future national road charging schemes to avoid fragmentation of regulations.”