FLEET managers who dismiss debate over the environment as a 'storm in a teacup' are making a grave mistake which could jeopardise their access to business in future, fleets have been warned. Leith Penny, head of environment and leisure policy for Westminster City Council, said companies must be aware of the pace of change in legislation governing access to towns and cities.

Speaking at the third annual City of Westminster Driving the Change conference he said the Greater London Authority Bill will give the mayor significant powers which will have an effect on the fleet operator. The Bill provides the new mayor with powers to implement workplace parking charges and congestion charging, while also excluding categories of vehicle through traffic orders.

Westminster council has carried out a research project into the viability of clean air zones and will present it to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on October 26, showing that such zones are possible. Already forward-looking businesses are taking action. Among a series of fuels displayed outside London's QEII Conference Centre was an LPG Ford Transit van run by ADSHEL, part of The More Group.

Pennysaid: 'I think that low emission zones will impact on fleets. Clean air zones could emerge by the end of this year and it will have a strong impact on anyone delivering goods or trading with firms in town centres.' Under Westminster council's green pennant scheme, vehicles powered by electricity or gas, diesels with a particulates trap or catalyst and vehicles normally powered by diesel (such as refuse collection trucks) but running on petrol with a catalyst, receive the pennant, helping raise awareness of that firm's commitment to the environment.