A huge win for clean air in London: ULEZ goes further
Rob from the air quality team takes us through Sadiq Khan’s recent announcement about expanding the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across the whole of London and what this means for clean air.
London has the worst air quality in the UK. Toxic air causes nearly 4,000 premature deaths a year across the capital and is having a devastating effect on people’s lungs, particularly children. Between 2017 and 2019, air pollution was responsible for 1,700 hospital admissions for asthma in London; accounting for 7% of all childhood asthma admissions to hospitals during the same period.
Despite work done to tackle the impact air pollution is having, much more still needs to be done to clean up the air in the capital.
This is why we are pleased with the new announcement made by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, that he will expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to cover the whole of Greater London in 2023.
What did the Mayor say?
During a speech at Forest Hill School in London, the Mayor announced his plans to expand the ULEZ beyond its current boundaries of the North and South Circular roads, to include the whole of Greater London. The expansion will take place in 2023, following a public consultation on the proposed measures.
In his speech, the Mayor noted that expanding the ULEZ would have the biggest effect on reducing emissions and congestion relative to the potential financial impact on Londoners as a whole. He also committed to help charities, small businesses, those with disabilities and Londoners on the lowest incomes to adapt to the extended London-wide ULEZ.
Situated just off the South Circular road, students at Forest Hill School will be some of the biggest beneficiaries of the new Zone. As the scheme expands, they’ll no longer be exposed to the most toxic fumes from passing traffic.
Rosamund, the mother of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, who died in 2013 at the age of 9 as a result of breathing in toxic air pollution, was at the school for the announcement. She welcomed the decision, saying that “children like Ella will breathe more easily and have a better quality of life”.
What next in London?
Despite the radical policies being implemented, London still has the furthest to go to remove toxic pollution from the air.
Alongside the ULEZ expansion, we need to see more zero emission public transport, with priority placed on new routes to connect outer London. This must be implemented alongside improved, inclusive walking and cycling infrastructure that allows people to feel safe doing short trips without getting in the car.
What next across the UK?
Other Mayors should take note. Air pollution is damaging the health of people’s lungs in cities across the country. So far we’ve seen too many delays to schemes that would curb toxic air pollution outside of London, the delay to the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone being the most recent in a number of delays. We want every major city with illegal levels of air pollution to bring in a Clean Air Zone that removes the most polluting cars from the road.
Tackling air pollution can’t just be left to Mayors and local government. We need to see central government taking action too. We are calling on government to set ambitious legal targets that will help to drive down levels of air pollution in every community right across the country.
In order to make this a reality, we need your help. You’ve seen how powerful your voice can be in the fight for clean air. It’s time to make the government sit up and take notice.
Help us take the next steps!
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