NEWS: CLASSIC VEHICLES TO BE BANNED FROM LONDON?

A move is under way that could see classic bikes and cars banned from the London Congestion Zone by 2020. It’s part of Boris Johnson’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone programme (ULEZ) which aims to give central London the cleanest air of any city in the world.

Classic Bikes in London- a thing of the past?

Transport for London (TfL) is the authority behind the move. If its plans go ahead, only electric vehicles and the very lowest pollution-emitting cars and motorcycles will be permitted to enter the congestion zone. The current belief is that the controlled hours are likely to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, rather than the current congestion charge operating times of 7am to 6.00pm.
What this could mean is that classic motorcycles could be permanently excluded from this zone, and until details are published, the definition of the term “classic” could be much wider than most people realize, and might include bikes built way into the 1990s, and conceivably beyond.

Without special dispensation, events such as the London to Brighton Run would  be impossible (or at least impractical) to organise at the established Hyde Park start location, which is on the margins of the current Congestion Zone. Additionally, the classic car boot sale events on the Southbank, adjacent to the London Eye, might also fall foul of the new regulations.

Moreover, many other central London businesses that rely on classic vehicles would be hit, including wedding hire cars, classic car hire, motorcycle shops, etc.
At present, there is no specific mention of classic vehicles. However, the fear is that classic or historic motorcycles and cars might inadvertently fall foul of the ULEZ rules unless immediate lobbying is begun.
mayor@london.gov.uk

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/metro/27204.aspx

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