Islington councillor calls for ‘decisive action’ on London’s clean air zone

Call for action: Green Party councillor Caroline Russell. Photograph: GLA

Local Green Party councillor Caroline Russell has urged the Mayor of London to accelerate plans to expand the capital’s clean air zone.

A new YouGov poll shows fifty-four per cent of Londoners agree that the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) should be extended from the current congestion charge area up to the North and South Circulars.

The online survey, commissioned by Russell, found that almost a third of the 1,155 respondents think the zone should stretch even further.

Sadiq 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.

Red mist: a map commissioned by Caroline Russell shows pollution levels across the capital. Image: Neil Richards

Russell, who is also a London Assembly Member, 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 recently commissioned a map which shows the extent of high pollution levels across the capital.

She 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.

Air force: Caroline Russell (second from left) with ClientEarth supporters. Photograph: ClientEarth

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.