ULEZ: London pollution charge zone not enough, campaigners say

The extension of London's pollution charge zone has come into force, but some campaigners claim it does not go far enough.

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), in which drivers of older, more polluting vehicles are liable for the sum, has become 18 times larger.

The zone began in central London but it now covers all areas inside the North and South Circular roads.

However, campaign group Mums for Lungs said it should cover London as a whole.

Motorists who drive inside the area in non-compliant cars will face a £12.50 daily fee. Lorries, vans and specialist heavy vehicles that are over 3.5 tonnes, as well as buses, minibuses and coaches over five tonnes, are exempt from the daily ULEZ charge.

Those who fail to pay will be subject to a £160 penalty.

You can check if you will have to pay here.

Speaking about the expanded zone, Mums for Lungs member Ruth Fitzharris said her son, who is asthmatic, had been to hospital up to 12 times with breathing difficulties due to the level of pollution in her neighbourhood.

"We were told by doctors to avoid areas with heavy traffic, which in London is really difficult," she said.

Ms Fitzharris added that she was relieved the expanded ULEZ zone should help reduce pollution levels, but stressed the scheme could go further - large parts of south London are not within the zone.

"There are countless children - one in 10 in London have asthma - so further change is needed," she said.

Air pollution was listed as a cause of the death of Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah's daughter Ella who lived near the South Circular Road in Lewisham, south-east London. She described the change as a "stepping stone".

She said: "If these initiatives were here, I'm not saying Ella wouldn't have got asthma because her asthma was so severe, but she would have survived.

"She wouldn't have died, and it really was due to the spikes and air pollution on the South Circular. That's what started the asthma, and ultimately that's what cost her her life."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "London's toxic air is a health crisis causing long-lasting harm to our children and contributing to thousands of premature deaths.

"The Ultra Low Emission Zone has already cut nitrogen dioxide pollution by nearly half in central London and the expansion of the zone on 25 October means many more Londoners across the city will enjoy the benefits of cleaner, healthier air."

Despite the health benefits, others believe the scheme should be delayed amid the financial difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

LTC Scaffolding and Roofing in Harefield, north-west London, said the expansion would cost it £10,000 a week as well as leading to further expenditure on new, compliant vehicles.

Michael Lloyd, from the company, said: "We've also lost a lot of value in having to dispose of our old vehicles.

"[The increase in price] will always get passed on to the customer somehow."

Nevertheless, Mr Khan has refused to delay the expansion.

"This is a matter of life and death. We can't afford to wait any longer," he told BBC London.

"We need bold action to clean up London's air."

The Conservatives have called for an amnesty for drivers who fail to pay the charge during the first month of the expanded zone.

Susan Hall, leader of the Conservatives on the Greater London Authority, said "thousands of unaware drivers" would be "slapped with eye-watering fines" unless the amnesty was introduced.

"With many Londoners struggling in the aftermath of the pandemic, a £160 fine each time they unknowingly drive in the new zone will squeeze people to breaking point," she said.

Some 100,000 cars, 35,000 vans and 3,000 lorries could be affected by the new rules, Transport for London (TfL) has estimated.

The transport body added that more than 80% of vehicles in the wider zone were exempt, up from 39% in February 2017 when the plans for the expansion were first announced.

Small businesses, charities and Londoners who are disabled or on low incomes can apply to TfL for a £2,000 grant if they scrap a non-compliant vehicle and buy a cleaner one.

Those scrapping a motorcycle or moped could be eligible for a £1,000 payment.

Similar schemes for vans, minibuses and lorries have been suspended due to "unprecedented demand and limited funds", TfL said.