ULEZ expansions planned

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has proposed expansions to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) whilst confirming that the ULEZ in central London will come into effect from 8 April 2019, covering the existing congestion charge zone. Petrol vehicles that don’t meet Euro4 standards and diesel vehicles that do not meet Euro6 standards will have to pay a ULEZ daily fee (£12.50 for cars, vans and motorbikes; £100 for buses, coaches and HGVs) to drive in the zone, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Mayor will consult Londoners on the proposed extensions which would see the ULEZ area expanded to the whole Greater London area for heavy diesel vehicles, including buses, coaches and lorries from 2020 and its application from 2021 to light vehicles, such as minibuses, cars, vans and motorcycles up to the North/South Circular road. The consultation on the Mayor’s proposal on bringing forward the start date of the central London ULEZ will launch on 4 April 2017 and run until 25 June 2017. Other proposals will be consulted on later this year. These plans are in addition to Khan’s confirmation of the the £10 T-Charge (toxicity charge), which will start in October 2017.

Sadiq Khan said, ‘These measures will help improve the air that millions of Londoners breathe. I want to announce my intention to consult on these proposals in good time so that business and those affected by new charges will have time to make changes they need to adapt to our low emission requirements. Now I urge the Government to step up and match my ambition to transform the appalling air we breathe. Ministers need to deliver a national vehicle scrappage fund, reform fiscal incentives like vehicle excise duty and pass a powerful new Clean Air Act to end the toxic smog in London once and for all.’

Sustainable Transport Campaigner at Campaign for Better Transport, Bridget Fox, 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.’

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