Londoners back bigger clean air zone, survey shows

Londoners support Mayor Sadiq Khan’s plans to extend the capital’s clean air zone, according to a new YouGov poll.

Fifty-four per cent of people surveyed agreed that the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) should be expanded from the current congestion charge area up to the North and South Circulars.

The online poll, commissioned by Green Party London Assembly Member Caroline Russell, found that almost a third of the 1,155 respondents think the zone should stretch even further.

Khan is currently consulting on an extension to the inner London ULEZ for cars, vans and motorbikes up to but not including the North and South Circular roads, and on a city-wide zone for lorries, buses and coaches.

But neither plan is scheduled to come into force before the next Mayoral election in 2020.

London’s ULEZ launches in April 2019.

Caroline Russell said: “I’ve been meeting people from all over London who are worried about the ill-effects of air pollution on their health, and the health of our children.

“Time and time again they’ve told me they want clean air for all of London so I’m heartened to see the Mayor’s plans to expand the ULEZ to the north and south circular are warmly welcomed.”

Russell, who has also commissioned a map showing pollution levels across the capital, added: “There’s still time for Londoners to tell the Mayor they want clean air where they live, not just in the central zones. I urge everyone to respond to his plans by February 28.”

“Now Londoners have shown they want this the Mayor must bring in his plans during this Mayoral term – we want to see decisive action so all Londoners can trust the air they breathe.”

The ULEZ will see vehicles with high exhaust emissions pay a daily charge or face a fine.

The scheme will operate for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including public holidays.

London-based environmental law firm ClientEarth recently won a third court victory against the government in its fight to tackle illegal levels of air pollution across the UK.

ClientEarth is calling for the introduction of clean air zones up and down the country.

To have your say on London’s ULEZ, please visit Transport for London’s (TfL) consultation page by 28 February.

To find out how to comply with the ULEZ, see TfL’s website here.