Nitrogen dioxide levels in outer London are estimated to be 21% lower than before the expansion was rolled out last year, a report from the Mayor of London says
New data shows that the Mayor of London’s expansion of ULEZ (ultra-low emission zone) has led to improved air quality in outer London.
The data comes from one of the first studies into the Mayor of London’s expansion of ULEZ (ultra-low emission zone), and it shows that nitrogen dioxide levels in outer London are estimated to be 21% lower than before the expansion was rolled out last year
The same data shows harmful pollutant levels such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) decreasing year-on-year, with the data also showing that levels of nitrogen dioxide in Waltham Forest did not exceed UK legal limits for the first time since measurements began.
The Mayor of London’s office says that the reduction in air pollution is equivalent to 200,000 cars driving on London’s roads for an entire year has been cut thanks to the expansion of ULEZ since last August.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The decision to expand the ULEZ London-wide was a difficult one, but necessary to save lives, protect children’s lungs and help reduce the risk of Londoners developing asthma, dementia and a host of other health issues. Today’s report shows that the ULEZ is working even better than expected.
“The expansion to outer London is already having a significant effect – driving down levels of pollution, taking old polluting cars off our roads and bringing cleaner air to millions more Londoners.
“London’s air quality is improving at a faster rate than the rest of England, and 96 per cent of vehicles are now compliant, with tens of thousands of Londoners benefitting from our scrappage scheme. It’s thanks to our bold policies, including ULEZ, that we are now set to get London’s air to within legal limits by 2025, 184 years earlier than previously projected. But there’s still more to do and I promise to continue taking bold action – including more to clean up out air and rivers – as we build a fairer, greener London for everyone.”
Councillor Clyde Loakes MBE, cabinet member for climate and air quality said: “Once again, Waltham Forest is leading the capital on cutting air pollution, delivering healthier and safer streets for local people, and tackling climate crisis with an ambitious plan for net-zero by 2030.
“It’s incredibly pleasing to see the data from the ULEZ six-month report and it represents further progress in improving air quality in our borough, at a time when the latest data is showing long-term decreases to harmful emissions and for the first time, no exceedance of the UK legal limits for NO2. We will continue to work with the Mayor to keep delivering for residents.
“Our Enjoy Waltham Forest programme has provided the inspiration and framework for London for active travel, healthier streets and easier, more inclusive cycling, but is a critical programme in helping clean up our air as well.
“Local roads are safer, our air is cleaner and every year, residents have had more options for safe walking and cycling routes – in fact, there are now 56 kilometres of cycle tracks to travel safely on.
“However, road transport is still currently the largest source of harmful emissions, and as we move into the second decade of Enjoy Waltham Forest, it remains vital that we continue to deliver more walking and cycling infrastructure to encourage more people to ditch their cars, and therefore helping create cleaner air for local people.
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