Agenda item

The Committee is asked to approve the recommendations outlined in the report.

 The Committee considered a report presented by the Principal Pollution Officer.

The Principal Pollution Officer advised the Committee that only cars registered before January 2006 and all diesel vehicles would be liable to pay the low emissions charge when entering the Ultra-low Emissions Zone.

The Committee were advised that the  following additional information had been added to the report since the agenda had been published following a meeting with Surrey County Council who are a key stakeholder as the Transport Authority:

‘The enforcement strategy should include mobile enforcement cameras to ensure that a measure is in place to combat avoidance of fixed enforcement cameras. This would help to reduce the risk of non-complaint vehicles routing around the fixed camera locations onto minor roads. There should be a mechanism by which neighbouring authorities to the zone can report perceived changes in traffic behaviour. To track changes in traffic behaviour TfL could undertake pre ULEZ traffic counts, such as tube counts which would help to provide baseline and post implementation counts, to quantify the impacts of the extended zone.

Signage should be located well in advance of the ULEZ border. Signage from the south for the existing LEZ begins as far south at Guildford. There would be an expectation for a commitment to a similar warning distance, so that drivers who are not familiar with the strategic road network approaching London do not find themselves in a position where they need to exit the A316/M3 at Sunbury Cross. Consideration should be given to measures to ensure that the extended ULEZ is accurately mapped by satellite navigation devices, which would help to reduce turn around journeys and re-routing to the exempt M25’.

The Committee expressed their concerns about this the expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone would impact on the residents within the Borough, especially within the more deprived areas and in light of the current increase in cost of living.

Concerns were also expressed about the impact that any expansion of the zone may have on small businesses’ costs if they had to travel across the Spelthorne border to deliver or pick up goods. If was felt that there might be an increase in parking in and around train and bus stations as people make use of public transport to avoid driving in the new extended zone. This would have an adverse effect on local residents and may even make the air quality in some areas worse due to increased traffic.

How many vehicles that would be affected by the charge was unknown and the Committee asked if these figures could be provided to get a better understanding of how many would be subject to the low emission charge.

The Committee asked the Principal Pollution Control Officer to write to the Department of Transport to lobby them for Spelthorne to be included in rail Zone 6 with the Oyster Card.

The Committee felt that the draft response was not robust enough and additional information was needed to strongly outline the Council’s concerns for its residents.

The Committee asked that a statement outlining the Council’s concerns should be issue along with any statement submitted to Transport for London.

The Committee asked that the revised response be circulated to the Environment and Sustainability Committee Members.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    note the contents of the report and its appendices,

2.    approve the submission of Spelthorne Borough Council’s response to Transport for London’s consultation on the expansion of the London Ultra-low Emission Zone,

3.    approve options 2 and 3 as outlined in the report, which are for the submission of Spelthorne’s response to the Transport for London Ultra-low Emission Zone consultation team and the lobbying options outlined; and

4.    permission be granted to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, to make minor amendments to Spelthorne Borough Council’s response to the consultation if the need arises.