St John Ambulance vehicles will help create a cleaner, healthier London

With the introduction of the Low Emission Zone by Transport for London from February 2008, St John Ambulance are set to update their vehicles to fit with new standards over the next two years.

London currently suffers the worst air pollution in the UK.   Transport for London will be introducing the Low Emission Zone to combat this. The zone will apply to lorries over 12 tonnes from February 2008. From July 2008, it will also apply to lighter lorries, buses and coaches, and other heavy vehicles. Large vans, including ambulances, will need to fit the requirements by 2010. Certain St John Ambulance vehicles will be affected initially and progressively until 2010.

Len Bamber, Chief Executive of St John Ambulance in London, said: ‘We could see up to 30% of our fleet in London needing to be adapted or replaced, at a cost of up to £4 million by 2010. This cost will be considerable but as a major health charity we are wholly behind the need to reduce pollution. We will find a way to make sure that all our vehicles meet the standards of the low emission zone so we can continue to provide first-class first aid support to Londoners.’

Many St John Ambulance vehicles from outside London enter the capital to support London events and incidents and will also need to be adapted or replaced.