The FTA has urged West Yorkshire businesses to “make their voices heard” or risk “incurring significant additional operating costs” associated with plans for a new Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Leeds. The association said that the geographical size of the new scheme is more extensive than local companies had been expecting, and that these businesses need to make their objections heard to the council.
“The plans announced for the Leeds Clean Air Zone are much more extensive than anticipated, and will come as a shock to many West Yorkshire businesses,” said Malcolm Bingham, FTA head of policy for the North of England. “Whether companies operate a single van or a large fleet of trucks, they must establish how they will be affected by these proposals and send their comments to Leeds City Council. This is the last chance to have an impact on the final scheme.”
“Most transport companies operating in Leeds will choose either to pay the new charge, or purchase compliant vehicles. Either option will mean a significant extra business cost with little or no time to phase it into business planning – those with new, non-compliant vehicles will be forced to write them off. Operators will have no choice but to absorb the extra expense or pass it on to their customers. Some firms will sadly decide it’s simply not worthwhile to continue serving residents and businesses within the Clean Air Zone. In the end, it will be local residents, as customers or employees, who will pay the price for this plan.”
