Mercedes-Benz Axor delivering at night

Seven trade associations, including the FTA and BVRLA, have joined forces in a letter to government warning of the financial impact that clean air zones (CAZs) could have on HGV operators and local businesses.

They warn that blanket charging zones, if applied without careful consideration, would add to the cost of delivering goods in urban areas, with HGVs often entering multiple cities each day.

The knock-on effect could see some smaller companies forced to close down.

FTA confirmed to MT it had signed the letter, which was also co-signed by the Builders Merchants Federation, BVRLA, British International Freight Association, UK Warehousing Association, National Federation of Builders and British Allied Trades Federation.

The letter follows last month’s High Court ruling that the government needed to do more to boost air quality in 33 local authorities.