Southwark Liberal Democrats have slammed the Council for failing to reduce the number of fossil fuel vehicles in its fleet.
The opposition party says it’s discovered that, since its 2019 climate emergency declaration, the council uses nine more fossil fuel vehicles.
Cllr Graham Neale, Southwark Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson said: “Liberal-Democrat-run Southwark Council was the first authority to use bio-diesel fuel in its fleet. We had a practical vision to reduce CO2 emissions nearly 20 years ago.
“But this current fleet contract seems like a lazy, retrograde step. It’s miles away from a commitment to saving the planet for our children. Southwark Labour is saying one thing, and then cutting corners on the environment.”
Southwark Lib Dems point out that Labour rejected the Liberal Democrats’ environmental budget amendment in 2021.
It would have forced the Council to cut its fossil fuel fleet and only replace vehicles with electric alternatives.
The council has purchased seventeen electric vehicles for its fleet in the past three years but the Lib Dems say this is less ambitious than other local authorities.
Bankside charity receive gold award for maintaining Southwark’s green spaces
Suffolk County Council, for example, announced this year that it will switch to an all-electric fleet of dozens of vehicles in mid-2023.
Southwark Council is investing £1 million in biodiversity projects to protect and improve Southwark’s green spaces.
This is part of the £7.5 million that the council has announced it will spend on green projects in its updated climate action plan.
Cllr Catherine Rose, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks, Streets and Clean Air, said: “We are working to reduce the overall number of vehicles in use. But while specialist vehicles are essential to deliver services to help people living in Southwark, we are continuing to decarbonise our fleet as swiftly and efficiently as possible
“In addition to the 19 electric vehicles already in use, we are trialling fully electric refuse trucks, street lighting, sweeping and mechanical broom vehicles. We’re working to get all of these on the streets of Southwark, in the coming months.
“We are also investing in our electric charging infrastructure with new heavy duty fast chargers, soon to be fitted in our depot. This is critical to support our transfer to a non-fossil fuel fleet.”