ULEZ should include all of London: Greens co-leader
The ultra low emissions zone (ULEZ) charge will be levied on drivers across the whole of London if Greens candidate Sian Berry becomes mayor.
The mayoral candidate said today she wants to radically alter the current road pricing system to ensure drivers contribute more to London’s transport budget.
Read more: Tfl rakes in £220,000 a day from Khan’s ULEZ pollution charge
Speaking at a London Chamber of Commerce and Industry event, the Greens co-leader said this would include making ULEZ include all of Greater London.
“[The current zone] is neglecting a lot of people in areas where air pollution is at illegal levels,” she said.
Berry’s ULEZ proposal is a part of a larger policy platform to change the city’s road pricing system by implementing a “fair, smart scheme”.
“Drivers are not paying enough to the transport budget,” she said.
“I want a fair road pricing system that is based on distance and emissions and not on entry.
“It would lower congestion, raise money and square unfairness.”
The ULEZ charge was brought in by mayor of London Sadiq Khan in April in an attempt to lower air pollution in the capital.
All vehicles that drive through the zone have to meet a list of environmental criteria or their drivers must pay a daily charge.
The levy on drivers is £12.50 for most cars and £100 for larger vehicles, such as trucks and buses.
The zone spans from Marylebone to the eastern most point of Canada, while the most southern part of the area includes Vauxhall.
In 2021, the zone’s limits will be expanded for heavy vehicles to the North and South Circular roads.
A spokeswoman for the mayor said his policies would see London reach its clean air target by 2025.
“ULEZ is having a significant impact with 12,500 fewer older, polluting vehicles now coming into Central London every day since it launched in April,” she said.
Read more: What do drivers think about Sadiq Khan’s new ULEZ pollution charge?
“The ULEZ standards are set to be rolled out to heavy vehicles including coaches and lorries across all of London next year.
“The mayor is implementing the boldest plans of any world city to clean-up London’s filthy air.”