London's new ULEZ and the local authority role in implementing clean air zones

The Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has come into force in central London, meaning that drivers of older, more polluting vehicles are being charged an additional £12.50 a day to enter the congestion zone area.

The aim is to reduce the number of polluting cars in the capital and Transport for London (TfL) estimates the move will affect about 40,000 vehicles every day.

Vehicles that are non-compliant are:

• Motorbikes that do not meet Euro 3 standards (pre-2007 vehicles)
• Petrol cars and vans that do not meet Euro 4 standards (vehicles pre-2006)
• Diesel cars and vans that do not meet Euro 6 standards (vehicles pre-2015)
• Buses, coaches and lorries will need to meet or exceed the Euro 6 standards or pay £100 a day

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said it was "important we make progress" in tackling the capital's toxic air.

Local authorities have a clear role to play in reducing air pollution in their localities to protect the public from harmful emissions. Just yesterday (11/04/19), BBC news reported that 1 in 10 child asthma cases are linked to traffic pollution. Recent coverage has described air pollution as a health crisis.

The UK government’s clean air strategy calls for action on air pollution, outlining that the government will work with local authorities to inform local decision making and give them new powers to improve air quality. The Road to Zero Strategy also introduces new plans for tackling air pollution from transport, including the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2040.   

Each council was asked to create an Air Quality Improvement Plan and submit it to Government by March 2018. Once approved, the local authority could receive funding to help set up a zone. A number of UK councils are engaging with this agenda by planning and implementing clean air zones.

Analysis by Birmingham City Council found air pollution was responsible for shortening the lives of about 900 people a year, which they are using to inform their plans for a clean air zone. Drivers of high-polluting vehicles will have to pay to drive through the city after the government approved plans last month. Revenue will be reinvested in transport and tackling air pollution, the authority has pledged.

Leeds City Council’s ambition is to improve the air quality of Leeds to support a thriving and sustainable city for those that live, work or visit, improving the health outcomes for the city. The council has been given final approval and more than £29 million in funding from the government to implement a Clean Air Charging Zone in the city and support businesses affected. The Clean Air Charging Zone will reduce air pollution in Leeds by encouraging businesses to transition to cleaner, less polluting vehicles that are not subject to charges for driving within the zone boundary. It is set to go live from the 6th of January 2020.

APSE Energy encourages local authorities to address air quality issues within their locality and lead by example with regards to greening their own fleets. Implementing charging zones, enforcing license changes for taxis and investing in EV infrastructure are some of the clear ways for local authorities to engage with the air quality agenda.