FSB urges for delay in London vehicle pollution charges

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone's plans to introduce a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in London has been criticised by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

According to the group, the mooted plans would seriously affect hauliers and business vehicles for whom travel in the capital was essential.

Over 50 per cent are believed to travel through London at least once a year, which under the new laws would see heavy vehicle goods being charged between £100 and £200 depending upon the extent to which they polluted.

While appreciating the aim of reducing pollution within the capital, the FSB said that the proposed regulations were "in danger of catching many businesses by surprise".

Speculating that the move should be rolled out until July 2008, Steve Collie, national transport chairman for the FSB, also said that more effort should be made "to publicise the LEZ across the UK".

He added: "The mayor needs to listen to the employers that will be affected so that his proposal does not put jobs at risk."

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