News from Jennette Arnold OBE (past staff): North East London residents urged to prepare one month before ULEZ

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News release

08.03.2019

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North East London residents urged to prepare one month before ULEZ rollout

With a month to go before its roll out, local residents, businesses and charities are being urged to prepare for the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Local London Assembly Member, Jennette Arnold OBE AM, has said that those who might be affected in Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest should use Transport for London’s online tool to check in advance whether their vehicle meets new emissions standards.

The ULEZ is set to be introduced on 8^th April in order to clean up London’s toxic air. Initially, the ULEZ will be rolled out across central London. In October 2021, its area of coverage will be extended to the North and South Circular Roads.

From next month, those driving vehicles that do not meet new emissions standards within the ULEZ, at any time, will face a daily £12.50 charge in addition to the existing Congestion Charge.

The Mayor has allocated £48 million to a ‘scrap for cash’ polluting vehicle fund, aimed at helping charities, micro-businesses and Londoners on a low income to ensure their vehicle or fleet is compliant with the new ULEZ rules, or to support them to switch to alternative transportation.

Applications for the scrappage fund can be submitted through the Transport for London (TfL) website. In addition, TfL have made an online compliance checker available that can be used to determine if a vehicle might be subject to ULEZ charges.

A report published by King’s College London revealed that almost 10,000 people in the capital die prematurely each year due to toxic air.

The British Lung Foundation has also identified air pollution as a factor in the stunting of children’s lung development.

In a recent response to a written question submitted by Leonie Cooper AM, the Mayor confirmed that the introduction of the ULEZ and its expansion to the North and South Circulars, combined with strengthening the existing Low Emission Zone, will lead to a 30% reduction in harmful nitrous oxide concentrations in Inner London by 2021.

Local London Assembly Member, Jennette Arnold OBE AM, said:

“The introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone is an absolutely necessary step to drastically clean up London’s toxic air.

“If stringent action isn’t taken, we will continue to see air pollution contribute towards the stunting of children’s lung development and the premature death of almost 10,000 Londoners- mostly in the capital’s poorest communities.

“Alongside other measures being taken by the Mayor, we will see the ULEZ almost immediately make an impact and contribute to securing a significant reduction in harmful nitrous oxide concentrations in Inner London by 2021.

“With the clock ticking down to the roll-out of ULEZ, I’d advise local residents, businesses and charities to adequately prepare themselves by checking on the TfL website whether their vehicles meet new emissions standards, and if not, whether they are eligible to apply for the Mayor’s scrappage fund”.