HGVs without sideguards and upgraded mirrors to be banned from London area this autumn

HGVs without prescribed safety equipment will be banned from operating within the London area from September this year, TfL has confirmed.

London mayor Boris Johnson’s controversial Safer Lorry Scheme will be introduced on 1 September, with 600 ‘Safer HGV Zone’ signs to be erected in and around London over the next few months. It follows a consultation last year.

Johnson said: “Improving the safety of London’s roads is a top priority. We know that a large number of cyclist deaths and serious injuries involve a relatively small number of trucks and lorries that are not fitted with basic safety equipment.

“Such vehicles are not welcome in the capital and the Safer Lorry Scheme will see them effectively banned from our streets. The lives of thousands of cyclists and pedestrians will be much safer as a result and I urge all operators of HGVs to get on board and make it a success.”

Julian Bell, chairman of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee, said: “This scheme will save lives and London Councils is pleased to be representing the boroughs in the development of the new London Safer Lorry Scheme.

“The scheme balances practical issues with the urgent need to address the danger lorries can pose to other users.

“London Councils is determined to make London’s roads safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, and as regular cyclist myself I am proud London is leading the way in introducing this scheme,”  he said.

The scheme has been in development for some time and started life as the Safer Lorry Charge in 2013.

The scheme and penalties

All roads in Greater London (except motorways) will be covered by the scheme. It will require vehicles of more than 3.5 tonnes to be fitted with sideguards to protect cyclists from being dragged under the wheels in the event of a collision, along with Class V and Class VI close-proximity mirrors giving the driver a better view of cyclists and pedestrians around their vehicle. 

There are some exemptions, for example where mirrors can’t be fitted to a vehicle, typically certain vans, with at least two metres of clearance from the ground. TfL has previously estimated that vehicles can be retrofitted with sideguards for around £500, with extended view mirrors costing £300 each. However the RHA suggested a figure of £1,000 for most vehciles was likely closer to the mark.

This means it is broadly equivalent to the safety equipment standard required by bronze members of Fors, which was raised last autumn by TfL. Fors has recently been privatised and will go national this year.

The Safer Lorry Scheme will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will be enforced by the police, the DVSA and the joint TfL and DfT-funded Industrial HGV Taskforce. The maximum fine for each breach of the ban will be £1,000.

The operator will also be referred for consideration to the relevant traffic commissioner.