BHF throws support behind air pollution measures in capital

Transport for London (TfL) has today (August 6) announced plans to expand the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) in London, a move which we have supported.

The planned expanded zone, which TfL has hailed as a major milestone, is a pivotal step towards cleaning up the capital’s toxic air. 

The ULEZ was first introduced in April 2019 as a major step towards curbing the capital’s air pollution problem. Air pollution is associated with 36,000 deaths each year in the UK and our research has shown that toxic air can have a detrimental effect on people with heart and circulatory conditions, and in some cases even on people who are otherwise healthy. 

TfL’s latest announcement will see the introduction of new cameras, which will grow the ULEZ. The zone currently covers the same area as the Congestion Charge Zone, and the new cameras will enable it to grow to the North and South Circular roads from October 25 2021. 

Susannah Kerr, our Head of Public Affairs, said: “Air pollution is a major health crisis, with around 11,000 heart and circulatory deaths attributable to air pollution every year in the UK.

“Tiny, but potentially deadly particles called PM_2.5 can find their way into our blood and can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

“This invisible threat to everyone's health is a particular issue in the capital, and the BHF has consistently supported the introduction of the ULEZ. The expansion to the scheme is a bold step forward in cleaning up the capital's air even further.

“Pioneering initiatives such as the ULEZ position London as a global leader in taking action on toxic air.

 “We now need to see further action at both national and local levels, such as the adoption of binding World Health Organization air quality guidelines into law, to ensure the air we all breathe is cleaner.”

Stricter guidelines 

The UK currently subscribes to EU guidelines on air pollution. However, we’re calling on the Government to adopt WHO limits, which are twice as stringent as the EU’s. The UK limit for PM_2.5 is over double the WHO recommended limit, which they’ve set as the level at which harm to health is minimised. 

We need to see the Government commit to adopting these guidelines as the UK’s new targets in the Environment Bill, alongside a "Clean Air Duty" to ensure that all public bodies and levels of Government have responsibility for, and contribute to, improving air quality.

Improving air quality 

Road transport is the largest single source of particulate matter in London, accounting for around 30 per cent of emissions.

According to TfL, the expanded zone will help reduce harmful nitrogen oxide emissions from road transport by around 30% across the whole city. 

It has been estimated that between July and September 2019, PM_2.5 emissions from road transport reduced by five tonnes, a reduction of 13 per cent compared to a no ULEZ scenario. 

Cameras play an important role in making the ULEZ effective. The central zone has seen the number of vehicles meeting the tough emission standards rise from 39 per cent in February 2017 to more than 80% currently. 

To reduce the number of additional sites required, TfL is prioritising cameras at locations already used to monitor traffic, on existing lamp columns and on traffic signals.

Shirley Rodrigues, Deputy Mayor for the Environment, said: “The Ultra Low Emission Zone is the centrepiece of our plans to clean up London's air.

“We have the boldest plans of any city on the planet and the ULEZ is exceeding expectations, helping reduce harmful roadside nitrogen dioxide by 44% in central London.

“As London starts to recover from the pandemic, City Hall is even more determined to stop Londoners breathing air so filthy it is damaging our children's lungs and causing thousands of premature deaths.”

What is air pollution?