The RHA has labelled transport minister Jesse Norman as complacent after he belatedly revealed plans to create a national charging infrastructure to prevent the creation of a “patchwork” of clean air zones (CAZs) with differing charges and regulations. 

Duncan Buchanan, RHA policy director, criticised ministers this week for failing to take action sooner to tackle the issue, which could see hauliers facing multiple CAZ/ low emission charges in the course of one day.

Transport minister Jesse Norman revealed plans for a national charging infrastructure last week after conservative MP for Angus Kirstene Hair questioned the impact of a multiplicity of CAZs on motorists and businesses.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Hair said: “I am slightly concerned that with the roll out of low emission zones across the country we are going to come across problems whereby motorists, hauliers and delivery drivers have to comply with different regulations in whatever city that they come to.”

Read more

Responding to Hair, Norman said: “We have been talking to the different industry organisations about this issue. There is obviously a concern that there may be a patchwork of permits between different cities.

“It is not clear what exactly each city is going to implement in each case, by way of a zone and we are working very closely to see if we can minimise any disruption and create a, potentially, national charging infrastructure.”

Long overdue

Buchanan said it was “high time” the government acted, adding: "I am shocked by the incredibly complacent attitude of the minister.

"The government has known for a very long time that there are issues around the different levels of charging between various CAZ and the issue of hauliers facing multiple charges in a day as they travel through various cities but they have done absolutely nothing about it.

"It is something they should have addressed a long time ago and their utter complacence is a disgrace.”

Image: Shutterstock

Topics