Last March, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khanstated that he wanted the Very low emission area (ULEZ) will cover the entire city. Despite some reactions saying it was a utopia, the truth is that their plans are now one step closer to success. And that’s it the London Assembly he voted to approve an update to the mayor’s transportation strategy, which will allow him to do so extend the ULEZ to the area known as Greater London. Currently, the ULEZ only includes inner London (Inner London, for its acronym in English) including the southern and northern ring roads. But Sadiq wants to include outside London in the payment zone from August 2023. The vote to update the mayor’s plans to expand the ULEZ area passed with 14 votes in favor, Labour, Greens and Liberals, and nine votes against, all from tories.
What is the ULEZ zone?
Whose Londoners? vehicles do not meet emission standards currently must pay £12.50 per day to enter the ULEZ zone. This generally includes older and particularly polluting vehicles. Opponents of this measure say the scheme is unfair to the poorest drivers and that they cannot replace their vehicles. Even for those who depend on their car to get to work. This problem could be exacerbated if the system was extended to the suburban areas of London with less public transport.
Even so, it seems Sadiq Khan is betting on a fit that would significantly improve the health of Londoners. An investigation by the Municipality proves it London children admitted to hospital with severe asthma they increased by 64% between 2021 and 2022. During the year, more than 3,600 children were treated for respiratory problems. We published it a few days ago nitrogen dioxide pollution in London had skyrocketed, causing too 229 children and young people were hospitalized with asthma during the month of June this year alone.
Other data released by London City Council also shows that air pollution disproportionately affects people of Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. About half of hospital admissions were children in these demographic groups, compared to 28% of white children. According to Khan, having the ULEZ covering the entire city is vital to reducing pollution-related illnesses and deaths.
