Van Scrappage Scheme cancelled

The Mayor of London’s Van Scrappage Scheme has been cancelled. 

Since its launch in February 2019, the scrappage scheme has supported small-businesses and charities to replace vehicles that don’t meet the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) standards. 

The scheme committed over £30 million to help thousands of small and micro-businesses prepare both for the central London ULEZ from April 2019, and for the ULEZ extension to the North and South Circulars in October 2021.

However, in a recent announcement, Transport for London has said that due to unprecedented demand and limited funds, the scheme will be cancelled.

The public and local authorities were given just a few days notice.

Any applications submitted prior to 5 pm on August 28 will be processed as normal, but any further applications will no longer be accepted. 

This means that businesses who might have been considering replacing any non-compliant vans in the run-up to ULEZ next Autumn will now be expected to meet the costs themselves. 

If a vehicle does not meet the stricter ULEZ emission standards, individuals will have to pay a daily charge to enter the zone. 

Cllr Alexander Ehmann from Richmond Council has said: ‘This is very disappointing and short-sighted.

‘We need to encourage as many local people and businesses as possible to switch to less polluting forms of transport. But for many — the switch is a financial challenge.

‘We know the enormous financial pressures that are facing TfL, but to give people a handful of days before pulling the scheme is simply not good enough.’

In related news, late last month both Leeds and Bristol Council announced the suspension of the city’s Clean Air Zones.

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