Key information
Request reference number: MGLA020523-6127
Date of response:
Summary of request
Your request
Could you provide data showing the thousands of deaths caused yearly by
traffic pollution in London? I was only aware of one case in Lewisham.
Assuming the data is correct, could you tell me the logic in the charge? If
we pay £12.50 does that stop the deaths? Or is £12.50 the cost of a life in London?
Surely, if the fine is to be a real deterrent it should be hundreds, if not thousands of
pounds? Or maybe just an outright ban?
Our response
In 2021, the GLA commissioned research from the Environmental Research Group at Imperial College London to quantify the health burden of air pollution in London.
This research found that in 2019, in Greater London, 61,800 to 70,200 life years lost (the equivalent of between 3,600 to 4,100 attributable deaths) were estimated to be attributable to anthropogenic fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), assuming health effects exist even at very low levels.
The full report is available on the GLA website.
The aim of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is to reduce harmful emissions from road transport by incentivising people to use cleaner vehicles and more sustainable forms of transport.
Transport for London (TfL) is the Mayor’s transport authority and is responsible for the policy development, implementation and ongoing operation of road user charging schemes such as the ULEZ.
The Mayor does not have the legal power to ban any vehicles over any area for the purposes of improving air quality.
If you have any further questions relating to this matter, please contact us, quoting
reference MGLA020523-6127.