Publication from Caroline Russell: Final response to Mayor’s plans to expand the ULEZ (phase 3b)

Dear Sadiq,

ULEZ 3b proposals, consultation response:

• London wide Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) for heavy vehicles – this would apply to buses, coaches and HGVs from 2020;

• Inner London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) for light vehicles from central London to inner London up to, but not including the North and South Circular roads. This would apply to cars, vans and motorcycles from 2021.

I am responding in my capacity as a Green Party Member of the London Assembly.

My detailed views on the current (Stage 3bi) consultation are set out overleaf. These should be considered along with my comments on your earlier ULEZ consultations (stage 1ii, 2iii and 3aiv).

In summary, Londoners need you to:

•Aim for all Londoners to breathe safe air within EU limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by 2020 or sooner

•Consult on a London-wide Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) for all vehicles

•Base the diesel ULEZ standard on independent ‘real world driving’ emission tests

•Improve public transport, pedestrian and cycling provision, especially in outer London

•Bring in a London-wide smart road pricing scheme to reduce traffic, where charges can vary by time of day, distance travelled and the level of emissions from the vehicle being driven. This allows fairness issues to be addressed with exceptions for essential workers eg midwives and care workers who carry heavy equipment.

Finally, I am pleased to see that you have used the World Health Organisation guidelines for setting a particulate matter target for London in your draft Environment Strategyv as I suggested in my ‘Left Out Londoners’ report last Junevi.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Russell AM