A new City Hall report, extensively reviewed by an independent advisory group of experts shows that the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone has led to substantial improvements in air quality in outer London and across the capital.
Particle emissions (PM2.5) from vehicle exhausts are estimated to be 31% lower in outer London in 2024 than they would have been without the ULEZ expansion. Alongside NO2 and PM2.5 reductions, NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) emissions from cars and vans are also estimated to be 14 per cent lower in outer London. [2]
The biggest reductions in NO2 levels have been in central London (54%) but there have also been substantial reductions in inner London (29%) and outer London (24%) [1].
The boroughs that have seen the biggest reductions in NOx emissions due to the ULEZ expansion are Sutton, Merton, Croydon, Harrow and Bromley, where harmful emissions are estimated to be around 15 per cent lower in 2024 than would be expected without the expansion to outer London, which covers a large area of around 1250km2.
Data from the report, alongside independent analysis has found that the ULEZ expansion has not impacted footfall or retail and leisure spending in either outer London or London as a whole, as had been feared. Visitor footfall in outer London increased by almost 2 per cent in the year after the London-wide ULEZ expansion.
The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, said:
“The decision to expand the ULEZ was not something I took lightly, but this report shows it was the right one for the health of all Londoners. It has been crucial to protect the health of Londoners, support children’s lung growth, and reduce the risk of people developing asthma, lung cancer and a host of other health issues related to air pollution.
“With boroughs in outer London seeing some of the biggest reductions in harmful emissions and London’s deprived communities also seeing greater benefits, this report shows why expanding ULEZ London-wide was so important.
“Thanks to ULEZ and our other policies, all Londoners are now breathing substantially cleaner air – but there is still more to do, and I promise to keep taking action as we build a greener, fairer London for everyone.”
Christina Calderato, TfL’s Director of Strategy, added:
Harmful NO2 concentrations are 27 per cent lower across the city than if there had been no ULEZ. There’s less PM2.5 exhaust emissions and NOx pollutants from cars and vans in outer London – an even greater reduction than reported in the first six months of ULEZ showing the continued success of the scheme.
“It is great to see it making a real difference to the air Londoners breathe, and together with our efforts to decarbonise the public transport network, will see generations to come reaping the benefits of a greener, cleaner London.”
Pic: Imperial College
