Greater London Authority (GLA) Emissions

The Greater London Authority (GLA) require construction sites in London to impose controls on exhaust emissions from construction plant. Equipment generally has to be of stage IV standard or better in Central London, Canary Wharf and Opportunity Areas on specified sites in Greater London, and stage IIIB or better on sites elsewhere in London. 

Some categories of plant may qualify for an exemption to the engine requirements stated, and individual exemptions would need to be submitted to the GLA for their consideration.

The following table shows the current and proposed requirement

 
Date of Application Central London, Canary Wharf & Opportunity Areas (OAs) Sites in Greater London
Present IV IIIB
From January 1st 2025 IV IV
From January 1st 2030 V V

 

Further information on NRMM emissions and Opportunity Areas can be found on the Mayor of London, London Assembly website - GLA's NRMM information

Other local authorities are considering introducing controls on emission from construction machinery, and they will be strongly influenced by the GLA policy. This means that areas outside London may also be affected by these changes.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q) We do not hire cranes, we specialise in MEWPs (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms).  Do these come within scope of the proposals?

A) MEWPs do come within the general requirements from 2015, and the step change in 2020. CPA will be talking with IPAF and other industry bodies to help prepare the sector. The particular change that GLA are considering in 2018 applies only to the (current) exemption for mobile cranes, and has no impact on MEWPs.

Q) What about Crawler Cranes that do not travel on the road. Is anyone making it clear that there is a difference?

A) There was a block exemption for crawler cranes when the controls were first introduced in 2015. However, this was removed in 2016 because GLA had evidence that sufficient crawler cranes were available to meet demand, and there was no continuing justification for the block exemption. It is possible for a site to request exemptions for machines, but this has to be done on a case-by-case basis. 

Q) Are GLA looking for a total ban or will there be a daily charge?

A) The GLA do not have the statutory powers to levy any charges for this, as the rules are made under planning legislation. The principle is that it is a total ban, although sites can apply for exemption for particular machines on a case-by-case basis.