The Mayor of London has announced that he intends to bring forward the introduction of the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) in Central London by a year. Subject to further consultation, it will now come into force in April 2019. Drivers of petrol vehicles that don’t meet Euro 4 standards and diesel vehicles that do not meet Euro 6 standards will have to pay a daily fee of £12.50 for cars, vans and motorbikes and £100 for buses, coaches and HGVs.
Initially, the ULEZ will cover the same area as the Congestion Charging Zone, but it will be extended across Greater London for heavy diesel vehicles, including buses, coaches and lorries, in 2020, and up to the North and South Circular roads for cars and vans in 2021. The charge will apply 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and will be levied on top of the existing congestion charge fee.
The proposals have been welcomed by Labour's environment spokesman on the Greater London Assembly (GLA), but have been criticised as being inadequate by Green Party members of the GLA.
The Green Party’s Caroline Russell said: “Londoners suffering from asthma, and other health conditions, worsened by the dirty air, will be desperately disappointed by the Mayor’s sluggish timetable for clean air that backtracks on his manifesto promise.
“His original plans outlined a London-wide ULEZ for buses, coaches and lorries ‘as early as 2019’ with an all-vehicle ULEZ to the north and south circular by 2020.
“It’s very disappointing to see these delayed when around 9,000 deaths in London are attributed to air pollution every year.
“I have asked the Mayor what has changed that has led to this delay since the consultation, at the end of last year. Waiting until 2020 just isn’t good enough, the Mayor needs to show more ambition and leadership on this urgent public health issue.
“The Mayor has kicked a ULEZ for all vehicles into the long grass – leaving it to be dealt with in the next term is just too risky.
“Londoners need more action from the Mayor, he needs to deliver clean air as soon as possible. If he was really ambitious he would be looking at proposals for a London-wide ULEZ for all vehicles.”
In a similar vein, Bridget Fox of the Campaign for Better Transport said:
"This is a welcome move by the Mayor. For too long, Londoners have endured lethal and illegal levels of air pollution, much of it from diesel vehicles.
“However, we are disappointed that the timescale for a comprehensive Ultra Low Emission Zone seems to have slipped. We believe all Londoners deserve clean air at the earliest opportunity and we urge the Mayor to not delay implementing measures that will benefit millions of people.
"A higher charge on the most polluting vehicles is only part of the solution though. We want to see continued investment in a comprehensive network of high quality public transport across the capital, and better cycling and walking facilities. This will help deliver a healthy, prosperous future for all Londoners.”
In contrast, Conservative GLA members have voiced opposition to the earlier introduction of the ULEZ, which they say will have a negative impact on business.
