Looking to improve air quality throughout the Square Mile, the City of London Corporation has recently approved plans to make Beech Street the UK's first zero-emission street.
By Spring 2020 Beech Street (part of which runs under the Barbican Estate) is planned to be restricted to zero-emission vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians only. However these proposals are still subject to final approval by Transport for London (TfL). Any zero-emission vehicles would need to comply with the criteria TfL has laid out to get a Cleaner Vehicle Discount for the Congestion Charge, which is:
The City of London Corporation had explained that there would be several exceptions to these rules, these include:
The street trial will be monitored for a maximum of 18 months to see the impact the changes have made. They aim to reduce nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels down to within the air quality guidelines that have been set out by the European Union and World Health Organisations. If it is deemed successful or has enough of an impact, then the trial will be made permanent.
The streets and walkways sub committee chairman (planning and transportation), Oliver Sells QC, has said the scheme would help to reduce noise pollution, as well as bring "substantial" health benefits to those who live and work in the Barbican area. He commented: "The experimental scheme will be enforced using the latest in smart camera technology and I hope it will be the first of many other schemes like this."
In line with both its Transport Strategy and Air Quality Strategy, the city corporation is encouraging the uptake of fully electric and compliant hybrid vehicles.
