Major regions in London have seen air pollution levels drastically decrease after the Ulez rules were expanded despite authorities opposing the scheme.
It comes after a report revealed that certain London boroughs that initially opposed Sadiq Khan’s Ulez expansion have experienced the largest reductions in harmful air pollutants.
The City Hall study estimated reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in 2024 compared with a scenario where the Mayor’s extension of the Ulez had not occurred with the report showing drastic decreases in levels.
The findings revealed that areas which were most vocal against the policy were now the ones which have seen the greatest environmental benefits.
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Since the expansion of the Ulez in 2023, levels of nitrogen oxide have decreased across the expanded areas
PA
This comes after the Ulez was expanded to cover all London boroughs in August 2023.The report found decreases in NOx levels of 15.4 per cent in Sutton, 15.3 per cent in both Croydon and Merton, and 15.2 per cent in both Bromley and Harrow.
All these councils had expressed opposition to the London Mayor’s decision to expand the zone. Conservative-run Bromley and Harrow were also part of a failed attempt to stop the policy through a judicial review.
Despite their initial resistance, these boroughs have now recorded the most significant improvements in air quality following the Ulez expansion.
The Ulez was extended to cover everywhere within the North and South Circular roads to cover all London boroughs, creating the world’s biggest pollution charging zone.
The report found NOx emissions from cars and vans across the whole of outer London were estimated to be 14 per cent lower last year than they would have been without Ulez expansion.
For petrol cars to meet the Ulez requirement, they must generally have been first registered after 2005 while most diesel cars must have been registered after September 2015 to be exempt.
The report found 96.7 per cent of vehicles recorded as being used in outer London in September 2024 were compliant. This compares with 90.9 per cent in June 2023, when the Ulez was expanded.
Over the same period, the number of non-compliant vehicles detected in London on an average day fell by nearly 100,000.
In London, while most vehicles meet minimum emissions standards, cars which fail to comply are required to pay a £12.50 daily fee for entering the Ulez.
Khan said: “Today’s report shows that Ulez works, driving down levels of pollution, taking old polluting cars off our roads and bringing cleaner air to millions more Londoners. The decision to expand the Ulez was not something I took lightly, but this report shows it was the right one for the health of all Londoners.
“It has been crucial to protect the health of Londoners, support children’s lung growth and reduce the risk of people developing asthma, lung cancer and a host of other health issues related to air pollution.”
He added that boroughs in outer London have seen some of the biggest reductions in harmful emissions, with some of London’s deprived communities also seeing greater benefits.
“This report shows why expanding Ulez London-wide was so important,” he noted.
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The controversial Ulez expansion took place in August 2023
PA
Meanwhile TfL’s director of strategy Christina Calderato explained that schemes like the Ulez are “pivotal” in making tangible long-term air quality improvements to tackle a public health crisis.
The report also found Ulez expansion has had “no negative impact” on footfall or retail and leisure spending in outer London or across the capital as a whole.
This counters concerns raised by some opponents who had suggested the scheme might harm local businesses or increase congestion.
