Are plans to introduce an ‘Ultra Low Emissions Zone’ in central London practical – and how would they be implemented? How low is ‘ultra low’ and will different standards apply to London’s buses and taxis? And what about London’s other air pollution hotspots?
The London Assembly’s Environment Committee will tomorrow question expert guests, including the Mayor’s Environment Adviser, about the Mayor’s plans to improve air quality in the capital, including a new ‘Ultra Low Emissions Zone’.
In February, the Mayor announced his ambition to make almost all vehicles driving in central London during working hours zero or low emission by 2020. The Environment Committee has supported the idea of stricter low emission zones in the most polluted areas of London since its 2009 report on air quality[1]. The Committee welcomes the Mayor’s commitment to a central London ultra-low emission zone and will seek to examine his plans to develop and implement it.
The Committee will question the following guests about the plans, and what will be done to deal with London’s other air pollution hotspots:
- Matthew Pencharz, Mayoral Adviser Environment and Political Affairs
- Michèle Dix, TfL Managing Director, Planning
- Elliot Treharne, GLA Air Quality Manager
- Simon Birkett, Clean Air in London
The meeting will take place on Thursday 11 July from 10am in Committee Room 5 at City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA). Media and members of the public are invited to attend. The meeting can also be viewed via webcast.
Ends
Notes for editors:
- Every Breath You Take, May 2009
- Murad Qureshi AM, Chair of the Environment Committee is available for interview – see contact details below.
- Read the agenda papers
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and balance on the Mayor
For more details, please contact Alastair Cowan in the Assembly Media Office on 020 7983 4504. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit, on 020 7983 4100.