Largest Low Emission Zone Opens

"Low emission zones are already in operation or planned in 70 towns and cities in eight European countries including Norway, the Netherlands and Germany. But London's will dwarf them all."

"The scheme will initially apply only to diesel lorries over 12 tonnes which have to comply with strict European Union limits on particulate or soot emissions from their exhausts."

"Cameras at 75 sites in and around the zone will snap the licence plates of vehicles. These will be checked against a central database to make sure the vehicles comply."

"Lorries that do not comply and have not been retro-fitted with exhaust scrubbers to bring them up to standard will be charged 200 pounds a day to be in the zone."