§ Viscount Simonasked Her Majesty's Government:
(a) How many vehicles have been tested by each of the seven local authorities in the pilot scheme to check compliance with vehicle emissions standards; (b) how many vehicles have failed the test; (c) whether the fines levied have covered the cost of operation; and (d) what impact the pilot schemes have had on local air quality. [HL593]
§ Lord WhittyAround 15,000 vehicles have been tested to date. Of these, just under 2,500 vehicles were found to be in breach of prescribed emissions standards, though only some 1,000 motorists have been issued with fixed penalty notices.
The cost-effectiveness of the scheme is currently being evaluated. The preliminary view of participating local authorities is that income from fixed penalties is unlikely to cover their costs.
It was always the case that a pilot scheme would have a small impact, at first, on air quality. What is significant is that already, after only 13 months since the scheme started, there has been a progressive improvement in the level of compliance.