2017年CRI T-Charge: New London traffic charge comes into force

 

London is implementing¹ a new traffic charge on polluting gas and diesel² cars in the capital.

The so-called "T-charge" is aimed at dealing³ with the poor quality air which has been blamed for premature⁴ deaths, asthma⁵, strokes and other diseases.

CRI's Li Yi reports.

Drivers of the most polluting cars will face an additional daily charge when entering central London, as the city is battling air pollution.

Starting on Monday, gas and diesel cars are facing a toxicity⁶ charge of 10 pounds a day, in addition to the congestion⁷ charge of 11.5 pounds they are already paying every time they enter the central part of the city.

The new rules apply primarily to cars registered before 2006 and may include some registered before 2008.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said more than 9,000 premature deaths are caused by poor air quality annually⁸, and the T-Charge will encourage people to give up polluting, harmful vehicles.

"We have more than 9,000 deaths premature prematurely⁹ each year caused by the poor-quality air. We have children in London whose lungs are underdeveloped because of the poor-quality air. Adults suffering from conditions from asthma to dementia and strokes because of the poor-quality air and the idea of the T-charge is the toughest vehicle emissions¹¹ surcharge in the world to try and change behavior. So those who drive the most polluting vehicles change their behavior and move to cleaner vehicles, or move to public transport or walk in and cycling when they can."

The mayor said the new policy would cost roughly 7 million pounds, but it's a price worth paying.

"The T-charge will cost us roughly speaking seven million pounds a year, but it's a price worth paying because of the air being improved. The ultra-low emission¹⁰ zone will bring in revenues and that revenues will be ring fenced to improve the quality of air."

The tax will affect up to 34,000 vehicles every month, about 6 percent of vehicles which come into central London. But it has already set the tone for future policies.

Rod McKenzie from the Road Haulage Association said the new charges will have a big impact on business.

"It's a big impact on business. In London the South East then effectively by extension the rest of the country. So, everyone is affected¹² by this. It will effectively outlaw¹³ and certainly tax all older vehicles and make business more expensive. It could even put some hauliers out of business."

The new policy is also facing mixed reactions among the public as supporters deemed it as a life-benefiting policy while opponents said the scheme would affect the poorest drivers.

Fees will be charged from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the work-week.

London will impose even tighter controls with the introduction of an "Ultra Low Emission Zone" in 2019.

Charges on polluting cars will be extended to include nights and weekends.

For CRI, I'm Li Yi.

1 implementing   

v.实现( implement的现在分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• -- Implementing a comprehensive drug control strategy. ――实行综合治理的禁毒战略。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• He was in no hurry about implementing his unshakable principle. 他并不急于实行他那不可动摇的原则。 来自辞典例句

2 diesel   

n.柴油发动机，内燃机

参考例句：

• We experimented with diesel engines to drive the pumps.我们试着用柴油机来带动水泵。
• My tractor operates on diesel oil.我的那台拖拉机用柴油开动。

3 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

4 premature   

adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的

参考例句：

• It is yet premature to predict the possible outcome of the dialogue.预言这次对话可能有什么结果为时尚早。
• The premature baby is doing well.那个早产的婴儿很健康。

5 asthma   

n.气喘病，哮喘病

参考例句：

• I think he's having an asthma attack.我想他现在是哮喘病发作了。
• Its presence in allergic asthma is well known.它在过敏性气喘中的存在是大家很熟悉的。

6 toxicity   

n.毒性，毒力

参考例句：

• The hoarse grunt or squeal is characteristic of toxicity.嘶哑的哼声和叫声是中毒的特征。
• Dieldrin is related to aldrin,and its toxicity to earthworms is similar.狄氏剂与艾氏剂有关，对蚯蚓的毒性是相似的。

7 congestion   

n.阻塞，消化不良

参考例句：

• The congestion in the city gets even worse during the summer.夏天城市交通阻塞尤为严重。
• Parking near the school causes severe traffic congestion.在学校附近泊车会引起严重的交通堵塞。

8 annually   

adv.一年一次，每年

参考例句：

• Many migratory birds visit this lake annually.许多候鸟每年到这个湖上作短期逗留。
• They celebrate their wedding anniversary annually.他们每年庆祝一番结婚纪念日。

9 prematurely   

adv.过早地，贸然地

参考例句：

• She was born prematurely with poorly developed lungs. 她早产，肺部未发育健全。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• His hair was prematurely white, but his busy eyebrows were still jet-black. 他的头发已经白了，不过两道浓眉还是乌黑乌黑的。 来自辞典例句

10 emission   

n.发出物，散发物；发出，散发

参考例句：

• Rigorous measures will be taken to reduce the total pollutant emission.采取严格有力措施，降低污染物排放总量。
• Finally,the way to effectively control particulate emission is pointed out.最后，指出有效降低颗粒排放的方向。

11 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。

12 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

13 outlaw   

n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法

参考例句：

• The outlaw hid out in the hills for several months.逃犯在山里隐藏了几个月。
• The outlaw has been caught.歹徒已被抓住了。