The City of London Corporation has announced plans for a pilot scheme limiting access to the south section of Moor Lane, near Moorgate, to ultra-low emission vehicles.

The trial, which is out for public consultation today [1 November], will create the City of London’s first low emission street. The pilot is part of the City Corporation’s Low Emission Neighbourhood project, which it jointly funds with the Mayor of London. 

The City Corporation is encouraging all parties to have their say at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ulev .

The pilot will close the road to all vehicles which are not Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) compliant. Access for drivers of non-compliant ULEV vehicles to the rest of Moor Lane will still be available from the north side.

The City Corporation is encouraging the uptake of fully electric and compliant hybrid vehicles to improve air quality in the Square Mile. It will use the pilot to consider whether similar measures are suitable for other streets in the City of London.

Following the consultation, the City Corporation aims to deliver the trial by April 2019.

Two options for a ULEV pilot in the southern end of Moor Lane have been developed for consultation. Option 1 would introduce the measures 24 hrs a day and seven days a week. Option 2 would apply Monday to Friday from 7am-11pm. 

Jeremy Simons, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Environment Committee, said:

“This trial is an important step towards cleaner air. We are determined to see a major improvement in the City’s air quality. 

“It will deliver the results we need when considering radical targeted action to drastically reduce air pollution on our streets.

“Nobody should have to breathe in dirty air, and we will continue to take bold and ambitious steps to ensure that the health of Londoners is protected.” 

Shirley Rodrigues, Deputy Mayor for the Environment and Energy said:

“We are funding innovative projects like this because they are vital to encourage more Londoners to switch to ultra-low and zero-emission vehicles and help tackle the capital’s toxic air.

“‎Local projects such as Low Emission Neighbourhoods are a crucial addition to the Mayor’s London-wide plans to tackle pollution, these include introducing the Ultra Low Emission Zone and upgrading London’s buses into one of the greenest fleets in the world.”

The City Corporation understands drivers may be unfamiliar with ULEV and may not have come across a ULEV only restriction.

To improve awareness the City Corporation will provide clear street signage which will be in place one month before the trial begins. An information campaign will take place including social media, leafleting and direct discussions with City firms.

For the first four weeks of the trial, those who drive through the ULEV-only zone with a non-compliant vehicle will be issued with a warning letter. Following this Penalty Charge Notices will come into full effect. Any funds generated through the scheme will be held in reserve and as required by legislation directed towards highway or road maintenance improvements.

The Moor Lane ULEV street proposal is just one part of the City Corporation’s fightback against air pollution. 

The City Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee has backed proposals to turn parts of the Square Mile into zero-emissions zones by 2022 and cut the speed limit to 15mph as part of its new Transport Strategy. 

It has already banned the purchase of diesel vehicles from its own fleet of 300 vehicles, where there is a clean market alternative.

As well as working with businesses through its CityAir Programme, the City Corporation is leading a London-wide crackdown on drivers who leave their engines idling - and its new procurement rules have brought in tight restrictions on harmful emissions from bulldozers and generators.

Its CityAir app provides over 27,000 Londoners with low pollution travel routes across the capital, with advice and alerts when air pollution is high.

In August this year the City Corporation announced new emissions-based charges for on-street parking in the Square Mile, targeting high polluting transport with higher charges while rewarding drivers of low emission vehicles with lower tariffs.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

About ultra-low emission vehicles

Ultra-low emission vehicles are defined as emitting less 75 g/km of carbon dioxide from the tailpipe. They include electric, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell and range of extended vehicles, such as the new taxi for London. Some conventional hybrid vehicles also meet this emission limit. 

About the City Corporation’s Low Emission Neighbourhood

More information on the City Corporation’s Low Emission Neighbourhood is available here.

About Culture Mile  

Culture Mile - which is situated in the north-west corner of the Square Mile from Farringdon to Moorgate - in conjunction with local businesses and residents, has an aspiration to create more areas of temporary greening in Moor Lane once the ULEV-only zone comes into effect, building on the success of the existing Moor Lane ‘pop-up’ garden.