Timber merchants have made significant investments to get their delivery lorries ready for the introduction of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) earlier this month.
Both Alsford Timber, which has about nine branches making daily deliveries into the zone, and T Brewer were among companies that have reported smooth progress of the LEZ’s introduction.
But T Brewer & Co director Keith Fryer criticised the scheme, labelling it a “piece of political manipulation” and quoting an article in The Times which said the LEZ could make as little as 1% difference to emissions in the capital.
“It’s cost us thousands and I can’t see why they have bothered to do it for such a tiny benefit.
“But I feel really sorry for guys like the sub-contract haulier working for a chipboard plant in Scotland who comes down here in his four-year-old truck completely unaware of the LEZ and gets hit with a £200 fine.”
Alsford Timber transport manager David Walton said the company had replaced several heavy lorries at its Erith distribution depot before Christmas, while replacement 7.5-tonne vehicles were being purchased in time for the scheme’s extension to 3.5-12-tonne gross vehicle weight in July.
The scheme will then be extended to heavier vans in October 2010.
