Pollution charges

[derek vivian]

As it seems today one will have to pay £12.50 to drive in London central area to avoid polluting the atmosphere I wonder if this is all a bit screwy? Over the past 30 years it is more and more new vehicles that have been driving in towns and cities of the UK in increasing numbers not older ones. My car is 22 years old this year and I have no intention of scrapping it to drive in London! If I must drive there I will pay the charge, but that will not reduce pollution will it?

[Harvey1512]

Why would anyone want to drive into the centre of London? It would scare me witless. If I ever need to go there it is train and tube for me.

To be fair to the authorities, they are only adding this on to the worse polluting cars. Keeping them out of the centre, where the air doesn't move too well and pollution just sits makes sense.

There is a bigger issue about this spreading to other cities where public transport is not so well served but I don't see it happening in London as being a crisis.

[john.wigley]

We have three cars, respectively 24, 19 and 13 years old, Derek. None have been driven in London in our ownership, and I can't remember when I did actually last drive there - it must be at least 20 years ago. I certainly have no wish to do so today.

When visiting other cities, e.g. Derby, Leicester or Nottingham we use the 'Park and Ride' facilities wherever possible, so this is unlikely to affect us greatly if it should be rolled out in the future.

As for pollution, I have long contended that older cars are in fact 'greener' than new ones when one amortises the cost of production over their lifespan. Pollution, in a broader sense, is much more than that which emanates from the tail-pipe. The cynic in me sees this as just another way of extracting money from those motorists who have little or no alternative to using their cars in London and other major cities.

Regards, John.

[Whippy]

The next stage is to extend this to the rest of London, this means that literally millions of families will now have to pay through the nose just to hang on to their family cars. The mantra is "either buy a new zero emissions car, walk or cycle, or use public transport."
We know how poor public transport is, so this policy will disadvantage, even penalize poorer families, the old and the infirm. There are already calls to extend this 'scheme' to the rest of Britain. Welcome to the urban elites Utopia.

[derek vivian]

I am not sure why modern cars (up to 10 years old) are so much less polluting than older cars (or other vehicles) Is it to do with exhaust because whenever it is being discussed on TV news programmes it is accompanied by pictures of car exhausts that is used to illustrate the toxic fumes coming out of exhausts and children standing nearby. Well, my car, and I suspect all Volvos, has a catalytic converter which I assumed rightly or wrongly prevented these harmful fumes. So why has this device not been updated ? And, anyway, how does a new car not emit toxic fumes? I am also of the opinion that drivers do not keep within speed limits generally which makes pollution worse whatever the age of the vehicle! I agree with the earlier post that it sounds like a money making exercise for the authorities!

[Whippy]

Even a euro five car with a dpf is a child of Satan according to them, and these are the same smug urban tits who cook their musli on wood burning ****ing stoves!

[Unknownsock]

Originally Posted by derek vivian

I am not sure why modern cars (up to 10 years old) are so much less polluting than older cars (or other vehicles) Is it to do with exhaust because whenever it is being discussed on TV news programmes it is accompanied by pictures of car exhausts that is used to illustrate the toxic fumes coming out of exhausts and children standing nearby. Well, my car, and I suspect all Volvos, has a catalytic converter which I assumed rightly or wrongly prevented these harmful fumes. So why has this device not been updated ? And, anyway, how does a new car not emit toxic fumes? I am also of the opinion that drivers do not keep within speed limits generally which makes pollution worse whatever the age of the vehicle! I agree with the earlier post that it sounds like a money making exercise for the authorities!

Old petrol vehicles emit large amounts of Co2 (Global warming) Old diesels emit large amounts of NOX and particulates (Lung desease in children) when your kids can't breathe you really need to do something about it, I drive a D4 which does nether

[DSK]

I work just outside central and suffer silly sinus issues (which improve when I go home to the midlands over the weekends). I'm all for trying to improve air quality but silly taxing isn't the solution despite it being an easy one to implement and enforce.

I would not change my vehicle for such regulations but rather revert to getting a commuter motorbike or a compliant car as cheaply as possible. Also the public is manipulated into buying certain types of cars at any given time, after a period, the powers that be further exploit them with taxes.

[volvocat]

Originally Posted by Whippy

The next stage is to extend this to the rest of London, this means that literally millions of families will now have to pay through the nose just to hang on to their family cars. The mantra is "either buy a new zero emissions car, walk or cycle, or use public transport."
We know how poor public transport is, so this policy will disadvantage, even penalize poorer families, the old and the infirm. There are already calls to extend this 'scheme' to the rest of Britain. Welcome to the urban elites Utopia.

At least in London you are exempt from the charges if you are registered disabled with a car classified Disabled (or maybe just a blue badge holder, can’t remember if both qualify)
However, the point about other cities maybe not being so helpful is a potential concern.

[ThomasG]

Originally Posted by volvocat

At least in London you are exempt from the charges if you are registered disabled with a car classified Disabled (or maybe just a blue badge holder, can’t remember if both qualify)
However, the point about other cities maybe not being so helpful is a potential concern.

Not for long, I`m afraid..
Even blue badge holders have some 2 years (worth checking how long precisely) before exemption expires and they are forced to either pay the charge and possibly feed themselves with air or change the method of transport.. so in the end- feed themselves with air..
No matter how clean- there wont be many calories in it..