The London Assembly has warned of a potential ‘dash for petrol’ by consumers, following calls for a national diesel scrappage scheme.
Such a scheme must encourage Londoners to switch to ultra-low emission vehicles instead, in order to avoid repeating the damage done by the original ‘dash for diesel.’
A motion agreed today by the Assembly urges the Government to encourage public transport, cycle hire, car club and rental schemes in the capital.
Leonie Cooper AM, who proposed the motion said:
“Today’s motion throws a gauntlet down to the government: it’s time to do their bit to clean up London’s air. The Mayor is implementing a radical range of proposals from the T charge to the ULEZ, all of which will help tackle London’s toxic air.
“By publicising a framework for a scrappage scheme, the Mayor has given the government a ready-made template for them to introduce this policy at a national level. There can be no more excuses, no more dithering, no more delay. It’s time the government showed some leadership and delivered the scrappage scheme that London and the rest of the UK so desperately needs.”
The full text of the Motion is:
“This Assembly strongly welcomes the report published jointly by TfL and Cambridge Economic Policy Associates, setting out a framework for a national diesel scrappage fund.
This Assembly notes that in 2012 the World Health Organisation classified diesel exhaust as carcinogenic and that it is widely accepted amongst scientists that the “dash to diesel” has had a very significant impact on London’s air quality[1]
This Assembly is adamant however, that such a scheme must not result in a dash for petrol either. Any scrappage scheme should seek to drive a transition to ultra-low emission vehicles that will support carbon reduction and curtail air pollutants as well as encouraging modal shift.
This Assembly therefore particularly welcomes the targeted initiatives proposed, which include a fund to encourage modal shift to public transport, cycle hire, car club and rental schemes.[2]
This Assembly urges the Government to urgently consider the Mayor’s proposals and places on record, its full support for the measures it outlines, due to the urgent nature and extent of the public health crisis now engulfing London.”
Notes to editors
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organisation, 12 June 2017. Proposal for a National Vehicle Scrappage Fund, 12 February 2017.
- Ibid p.17
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed by 17 votes for, to 0 votes against.
- Leonie Cooper AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews. Please see contact details below.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Mary Dolan on 020 7983 4603. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.