Anyone ready for the LEZ?

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zipzap

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Hi all, Just wondered if anyone has had to make alterations to their lorry for it to be LEZ compliant? Have you had a particle filter fitted & how much did it cost you? also, was it just a normal garage or mechanic who fitted it or did you have to go to a specialist fitter?

Recommendations please....
 
Hello

Nope not ready - spoke to a mechanic yesterday - even after paying the £4-5000 it will cost to have it converted - it is still not a viable option because in 2010 all these lorries need an 04 engine fitted anyway... so all this conversion stuff on older lorries is a waste of time..

I cannot afford a compliant lorry so am selling mine.... will use my trailer and will have to do 2 trips as have 3 horses that compete..... did think about a 3 horse box but it needs to be a 7.5t anyway which defeats the object.

Its just not fair I have waited over 20 years to get my own horse box and now after only 2 years use.... will be without one again.... and I know I am not the only one.


So: 1 very reliable, taxed and mot'd 7.5 T horse box ( carries 4-5 horses) for very reluctant sale.... PM me if interested.
frown.gif
 
Oh my god, it sound's like a nightmare. I've been looking into it as we run a small (hobby) business building and selling 3.5t Ifor conversions and they too will be affected 7 included in 2010. We are already getting enquiries from prospective purchasers asking about modifications(!) A friend from a riding club based just outside S.E London was telling me they're very concerned as some of their show centre's are within the zone and obviously there's no way anyone in the right mind would contemplate paying for a £200 permit or if not, face upto a £1000 fine just to go down the road & do a couple of prelim tests in a winter indoor dressage comp!!!!

There are also inner city riding schools and farms who will be in deep trouble from July 08 as they are likely to have problems getting feed, hay / bedding deliveries from suppliers from outside the zone who wouldn't necessarily own compliant vehicles.

Is there any news on whether any horsey groups have gone ahead with lobbying Boris for an exemption?
 
No nothing !

Its like they are saying... there you go.... its unfair but TOUGH!!!

Its so not fair.... I have to say we are VERY seriously thinking about moving out to America......... Montana in fact..........
 
Using a Euro compliant base vehicle is a main requirement for those ordering new boxes in the SE now. So first reg 2002 onwards are the chassis to use, and I suppose a good qulaity new build is worth using a base vehilcle less than 6 or 7 years old
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/roadusers/lez/LEZ/LEZ-information-leaflet-Feb-2008.pdf

I knoe some suppliers who have retrofitted the kit so they can work inside the zone, or use a car and trailer to deliver if only a few customers inside. Or a tractor and trailer.
 
Can someone please tell me why Showmans vehicles maybe entitled to 100% discount????

Why is that?

Why can they not allow us with horse boxes to use them from Friday to Sunday ? its not as if we use them 7 days a week 364 days a year?

Its like one rule for one and one for another....

It will be the 4 x 4 next!! so that will be the end of the trailer then..... Where will it end.......?
 
LEZ bloody thing. I am selling ny box as my boy has grown too big for it and I can't afford to get a newer model because of the LEZ
 
I have got round it by buying a petrol TK. In 2012 I will be counting my pennies and seeing if I can afford a '06 or younger. A friend took the demountable container off his lorry, loaded up the flat bed with hay, and re-registered it as agricultural. LEZ and tax exempt! I don't know what will happen if he gets pulled over with horses on board.
 
Thanks to everyone who has responded. Interesting to hear how people are handling this. chriscrogul, I've heard of others going down the Bedford TK route too. Don't know what your TK's like but my first lorry was a 4 cylinder diesel one of these 17 years ago. The irony of course being that in order to start my old TK in the mornings I used to have to empty half a can of 'easy-start' on the air filter and then rev the nuts off it until it filled my whole street with a big black cloud of pollutants..... How can this ever be better for the environment? makes no bl**dy sense to me!!!! also, as for your friend and his agricultural exemption - very dodgy but kinda smart thinkin'. I like to think that someone that inspired deserves to get away with it.

Please keep your stories rolling in. I've been asked to do an article for our local riding club on alternative solutions but apart from 'buy a trailer' or 'give up competing' am feeling too demoralised & struggling to find any positive suggestions ....
 
I thought about getting a petrol engined box but have to say didnt know there was one..... whats the weight ? a 3.5T or bigger?

A petrol Bedford TK ? or the other alternative is to buy a very old box ie tax exempt (yes that old) and they are exempt..

I am gonna put velcro false plates on mine ! lol

As we have 3 horses that compete will mean buy another trailer as me and OH have 4 x 4's so just means 2 x trailers and vehicles (defo more polluting !!) its just crazy!!!

and as I said Showmans vehicles are exempt!!!
 
My old TK was a 7.5T, configured for 2 rear facing but the internal layouts vary from one to another. I knew lots of other people years and years ago who owned them but they stopped being made probably in the late 70's(???) so finding parts likely to be an issue. The whole point is that they'll be so old now that they will be LEZ exempt as they'll fall into the category of a 'historic vehicle'.

What's the deal for Showman's vehicles then? - What's the LEZ definition of a showman? Any idea anyone?????...............

It's also likely that this will 'catch on' in and around other UK towns as no doubt it will be seen as a resounding success (good source of additional Government Income and pays lip service to the green agenda). So even if you're not in the South East, this is likely to be coming to a town near you soon.

I am disappointed to find that major horse organisations seem disinterested in the LEZ. The BHS Website has a link which takes you to the TFL site but appears to have accepted it without an issue. Why??? Many riding club / BHS members I fear will be forced to comply or quit - and still they do not challenge it, Have I missed something here?!
 
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Many riding club / BHS members I fear will be forced to comply or quit - and still they do not challenge it, Have I missed something here?!

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There was an article /warning on BHS website and in the magazine and in H&H all asking members and readers to respond re horse boxes during the consultation process which ran up to Feb 2007.

We did so, but not a lot of interest in general as everyone assumed it woud not affect them,
 
Well I and others I know responded but as its only in the South East everyone else is just thinking it doesnt affect them but they will soon shout when it goes widespread...

Yeah the Showman - they are listed on the web as per the link above.....

Cant quite figure it out! they are allowed to pollute the air but us that only use the box a a couple of times a month are not allowed....

So unfair....
frown.gif


I am all for clean air but help us out here!!!
 
A showman would be circus/fairground, can only be a vehicle registered as such from new, and must have a permanent fixture on it of a "ride" or sideshow.

Re TK parts; not as obsolete as you would think, after all the MOD still run several fleets of them.....
Google Bedford TK Parts and you'll be surprised at how many companies it lists. Also, at your next trip to a Steam Rally, or Country Fair, have a wander through the Vintage Commercial section, plenty of pristine restored TKs to feast your eyes on!
 
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