TfL open DVS HGV Safety Permit registration and one year until tougher LEZ standards come in

From today businesses and organisations can register for a HGV safety permit as part of our new Direct Vision Standard (DVS) coming in from 26 October 2020. On the same day, TfL will also introduce tougher Low Emission Zone (LEZ) standards for heavy vehicles. Both will operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year. This action is crucial to tackle two of the biggest challenges to Londoners’ health – poor air quality and death and serious injury on the roads.

Businesses and organisations now have one year to prepare for these changes.

Direct Vision Standard

The new DVS is part of the Mayor of London’s plans to eliminate death and serious injury on London’s transport network. Using a star system, the DVS will rate HGVs from zero (lowest) to five (highest) stars, based on how much a driver can see directly through their HGV cab windows. Restrictions in the HGV driver’s field of vision, or ‘blind spots’ have been identified as a significant contributory factor in collisions with vulnerable road users, such as people walking and cycling.

From 26 October 2020 HGVs weighing more than 12 tonnes will be required to hold a HGV Safety Permit when operating within Greater London (the same area as the LEZ). There will be no charge for permits. Permits will be available a year in advance, from today, and can be applied for at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/direct-vision-permit.

Low Emission Zone

These vehicles will also need to meet tougher emission standards from the same date of 26 October 2020, when the LEZ standards are getting tougher for heavy vehicles travelling within Greater London. Emission standards are tightening from Euro IV Particulate Matter only (PM) to Euro VI Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and PM.

The LEZ emission standards will be changing for the following heavy vehicles with diesel engines:
• Buses, coaches and minibuses over 5 tonnes
• HGVs, lorries, vans and other specialist heavy vehicles over 3.5 tonnes including motor caravans, motorised horseboxes, breakdown and recovery vehicles, snow ploughs, gritters, refuse collection vehicles, road sweepers, concrete mixers, fire engines, tippers and removal lorries

There is also a video available on TfL’s YouTube channel to explain more about DVS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-P20wdrcAQ.

City of Westminster: City Plan 2019-2040

On Monday 28th October, Westminster City Council published on their website the latest version of the draft City Plan and all accompanying papers that will now be considered by Full Council on 13th November.

The overarching aims of the City Plan are to create more affordable homes, the right environment for business success and more open, green spaces to enjoy in the heart of London. The new planning framework will set a clear direction for developers and householders, in order to meet a number of key targets:

• 1,495 new homes every year for ten years and over 22,000 new homes up to 2040
• 1,850 new affordable homes by 2023
• Create new business floor space for 63,000 new jobs
• Six in ten affordable homes to be intermediate housing
• A clearer policy on tall buildings that rules them out across most of the city – with most new developments to match surrounding skyline.

Subject to consideration by Full Council on 13th November, the City Plan will then be submitted to the Secretary of State for inspection.

You can see the full set of City Plan Cabinet papers at www.westminster.gov.uk/cityplan2040. This includes details of minor textual changes following the Regulation 19 consultation stage.

Winner Announced! Makerversity City Co-Labs: Re-Making Place Civic Hack

The winner of Makerversity’s City Co-Labs: Re-Making Place Civic Hack in partnership with The Northbank BID is… Hydro-Commons!

Makerversity’s Civic Hacks address the big social issues of our time. Fostering collaboration between makers and the public, exploring design’s role in creating radical solutions to the problems we face. The Re-Making Place Civic Hack explored the future city via the way we use and design its public spaces. In partnership with the Northbank BID, drawing inspiration from the ongoing project to pedestrianise the Strand-Aldwych area, as a starting point to develop innovative ideas around the function of public city spaces in London and beyond.

Helen Tartaglia and Nasra Abdullahi teamed up during the Civic Hack this summer and displayed their proposal in Somerset House as part of a Makerversity exhibition for London Design Festival. Helen and Nasra seek to explore how sustainable drainage systems can be developed, which also act as public spaces.

London receives 6 billion tonnes of rain water each year: their research began by an exploration of ways to reutilise this excess rain water. The final proposal is a 1500 mm x 1500 mm tank with a surface that sits above ground. The underbelly of the tank absorbs or stores rain water. The bed acts as a public space, be it a micro beach, splash pad or hydroponic seating area.

They will receive a £1000 grant and a 6-month Northbank BID residency at Makerversity to develop their project further.