Court confirms ULEZ expansion can go ahead
Reacting to news that a legal challenge against plans to expand the capital’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scheme has not succeeded, Friends of the Earth air pollution campaigner, Jenny Bates, said:
“This is great news for Londoners. With air pollution responsible for tens of thousands of early deaths each year across the UK clean air schemes like ULEZ are vital for protecting public health.
“Air quality in London is the worst in the country, hitting the most vulnerable the hardest - particularly children, who can grow up with reduced lung function. Older people too are more likely to have a pre-existing condition made even worse.
“The government should be giving more support to help clean up our dirty air. This should include more money to help people switch to cleaner vehicles, especially those on low incomes – and to enable greater investment in public transport and cycling and walking infrastructure.”
ENDS
Notes
- Analysis by Friends of the Earth, published in October 2022, revealed 2,546 neighbourhoods in England where average air pollution levels are double World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for at least one of two of the deadliest air pollutants. Over 90% of the neighbourhoods in England suffering from very high air pollution are in the capital. It also showed that poorer communities and people of colour are disproportionately exposed to high levels of air pollution despite having lower car ownership. The press release is here.