Londoners are breathing cleaner air thanks to ULEZ expansion

ULEZ was first introduced in 2019, and is a transport scheme aimed at reducing air pollution and improving the air quality for Londoners. Since its launch, the scheme has been extended across the capital, covering 5 million people by August 2023.

However, the scheme has not been without controversy. While Mayor Sadiq Khan has called the expansion ‘vital’ for improving air quality, many are concerned about the additional costs to the public – the daily charge is £12.50 – especially amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Despite its controversies, ULEZ appears to be improving the health of Londoners. A new report from City Hall reveals that particle emissions (PM2.5) from vehicle exhausts in outer London are projected to be 31% lower in 2024 thanks to the ULEZ expansion.

Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from cars and vans have decreased by 14%. At the same time, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels have notably dropped, with a particularly significant reduction in central London (54%) and also considerable decreases in inner (29%) and outer London (24%).

The expansion of the ULEZ has also led to great reductions in harmful NOx emissions in outer boroughs like Sutton, Merton, Croydon, Harrow, and Bromley. In these areas, emissions are estimated to be 15% lower in 2024 compared to expectations without the ULEZ extension, which now covers 1,250 km² of outer London.

City-wide, road transport NOx emissions have dropped by 36% in 2024, saving around 3,400 tonnes – equivalent to the emissions from all passenger car trips in Los Angeles for a year.

The ULEZ has also contributed to a reduction in carbon emissions, with policies from 2019 to 2024 saving the equivalent of nearly three million one-way trips between Heathrow and New York.

Deprived communities have seen the greatest benefits, with an estimated 80% reduction in people exposed to illegal pollution levels in 2023, rising to 82% in outer London thanks to the ULEZ expansion.

Despite concerns about the economic impact, independent data shows that the ULEZ has not harmed footfall or spending in outer London, with visitor numbers increasing by almost 2% in the year following the expansion.

Sadiq Khan, said: “When I was first elected, evidence showed it would take 193 years to bring London’s air pollution within legal limits if current efforts continued. But thanks to our transformative policies, we’re now on track to achieve it this year.

“Expanding the ULEZ was not a decision I took lightly, but this report proves it was the right one for the health of all Londoners. It’s crucial for protecting health, supporting children’s lung growth, and reducing the risk of asthma, lung cancer, and other pollution-related issues.

“Thanks to ULEZ and our other policies, all Londoners are breathing cleaner air. But there’s more to do, and I promise to keep taking action as we build a greener, fairer London for everyone.”

In September 2024, nearly 100,000 fewer non-compliant vehicles were detected in London compared to June 2023, marking a 58% reduction. This was supported by the Mayor’s £200m scrappage scheme, which helped remove 15,232 older vehicles and approved over 54,700 further applications before closing in September 2024.

The ULEZ is central to the Mayor’s efforts to combat London’s toxic air, alongside measures like the introduction of 1,900 zero-emission buses. Since 2019, air quality has improved at 99% of monitoring sites, with 80% showing significant reductions in NO2 levels.

London’s air quality is improving faster than the rest of England, especially in outer London, where pollution levels have dropped to match the national average.

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