The Mayor promised ‘nothing is off the table’ when questioned by Caroline Russell AM over expanding the ultra low emission zone to cover the whole of London.
The Mayor said he encouraged Londoners to respond to his new consultation on expanding the ULEZ and re-stated that nothing was off the table when Caroline Russell quizzed him over whether he would include a specific question about including outer London in the zone.
People from all over London gathered at City Hall last night for an event hosted by Caroline Russell to share their stories of how air pollution affects their daily lives from suffering from ‘black snot’ to being hospitalised when high pollution days trigger serious illnesses.
Groups who live in outer London – outside the current proposed ULEZ boundary – urged the Mayor not to leave them out.
Caroline Russell said:
“The Mayor’s answer was promising and I hope he does make sure the question on whether Londoners want the ULEZ to cover the whole of London for all vehicles is included in the consultation.
“I hosted an event about our air pollution problem where people who live outside this zone told me they don’t want to be left out of the ULEZ – so I’m glad the Mayor has indicated he will at least ask people what they want.
“Yesterday parents told me up to a third of their children’s school class have to rely on inhalers – they said London is becoming hostile to children and they feel guilty for raising their children here.
“A mother said she finds her baby has ‘black snot’ and around the room, from people from all over London, there was a sense of extreme worry about our air pollution problem and the heath impact it is having on us all.
“Air pollution can’t be reduced just in central London – pollution monitors from all around London show illegal breaches, not just in the centre. It’s only fair that all Londoners can trust the air they breathe and outer Londoners should have a chance to benefit from cleaner air too.”
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