Statement from the Chair of the Environment Committee about the Mayor’s clean air proposals
The Mayor today announced an expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to tackle air pollution up to the North and South Circular boundary in 2021.
The London Assembly has recommended that the ULEZ be extended London-wide for light vehicles, not just heavy ones as is proposed. The Assembly has also urged that it be introduced as soon as possible and certainly by the end of the current mayoral term in May 2020.
Chair of the London Assembly Environment Committee, Caroline Russell AM said:
“While the measures in a broad sense are step in the right direction, the Mayor has really missed a golden opportunity to be ambitious in the way we tackle air pollution.
“The Mayor has stuck to his weaker proposals. Stopping the zone for cars short of the North and South Circular will make these already-congested roads into bypasses for heavily-polluting older vehicles, right through residential areas.
“London also needs this extension much sooner than late 2021. There are thousands of early deaths each year in London from air pollution, and emissions must come down as fast as possible.”
Notes to editors
- The London Assembly Environment Committee has consistently called for the ULEZ to extend further and come in sooner, with the latest consultation response in February.
- Caroline Russell AM, Chair of the London Assembly Environment Committee, is available for interview – see contact details below.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Howard Wheeler on 020 7983 4228 [email protected] For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.