The Mayor of London today announced the introduction of an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London and stated that £65 million has been earmarked to support London taxi drivers’ transition to zero emission capable taxis.
The announcement follows the Environment Committee’s response to the Mayor’s ULEZ consultation (attached) which makes a number of recommendations to help ensure that the ULEZ is fit for purpose:
Commenting on the announcement, Stephen Knight AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, said:
“To finally agree to developing an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London is certainly a step in the right direction. We also welcome that the Mayor has found the extra support that we recommended for zero emission capable taxis. However, the challenge remains for the Mayor and more so, for his successor, to ensure that London achieves compliance with legal pollution limits, which currently we are in serious breach of.
The Mayor believes it to be acceptable for 80 per cent of central London to achieve legal compliance by 2020, but the London Assembly Environment Committee urges the Mayor, boroughs and government to examine how the whole of London could achieve full compliance by 2020. The NO2 limits have been the law since 2010, and we need full compliance as soon as possible because every year that action is delayed, thousands of Londoners are dying.”
No doubt implementing the ULEZ successfully will require a significant amount of investment in terms of time and money, let’s make sure those resources are well spent. If we’re going to do this, let’s do it right.”
Notes to editors
Notes for Editors:
- The Environment Committee’s response to the ULEZ consultation is available to read here.
- Chair of the Environment Committee, Stephen Knight AM, is available for interview.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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