Smaller, independent merchants could face a struggle to meet the first stage of the introduction of London’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and many are confused about compliance measures, companies have told TTJ.

The LEZ, which comes into effect on February 4, 2008, requires diesel-engined lorries over 12 tonnes travelling in Greater London to meet Euro III emissions standards. Failure to do so will incur a charge of £200 a day.

The scheme will then be extended in July 2008 to cover vehicles between 3.5 and 12 tonnes gross vehicle weight.

Travis Perkins will move about 40 non-compliant vehicles out of London and replace them with 40 newer vehicles from other areas.

“We have not got an option,” said TP group transport manager Graham Bellman. “There’s no way we can allow 40 lorries into London at £200 each a day. That’s £40,000 a week.

Mr Bellman said it was easier for TP to comply because of its large transport fleet – essentially it could just swap vehicles from different areas.

But the cost of buying a new craned vehicle of £45,000-65,000 was a large investment for a small business. And, he added, there were 20-week lead times for most commercial vehicles due to increased global demand.

TP has about 200 trucks in London every day. It is having to look at vehicles at its Maidenhead and and Aylesford specialist timber branches.

Mr Bellman described the LEZ as a nuisance.

“This is the last straw for the small, independent merchant, following on from the working time directive. The net is tightening on everybody.”

Travis Perkins will buy 200 new lorries next year.

T Brewer director Keith Fryer said there was a huge amount of confusion surrounding the LEZ introduction and it ultimately meant a lot of work, time and expense for merchants with business in London.

He said T Brewer was considering moving some vehicles outside the M25 to other branches, disposing of some or retrofitting vehicles with devices to make them compliant. The LEZ may also speed up new vehicle purchasing decisions.

“But if we order an 18-tonne truck today we may not get it until next April,” added Mr Fryer.

“People are ignoring it, hoping it will go away. Some people do not even know about it. It has been very poorly handled.”

For more information on the LEZ visit Transport for London’s website at www.tfl.gov.uk