London has expanded its Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), and TfL is urging drivers to use its online vehicle checker to make sure they don’t get caught out.
The new zone is 18 times the previous central area that has seen toxic pollution slashed by half. It will run 24 hours, seven days a week (except Christmas Day) and covers all areas within the North and South Circular.
It is estimated that 100,000 cars, 35,000 vans and 3,000 lorries could potentially be affected by the tighter standards in the expanded area every day.
To prepare drivers and make them aware of the zone, TfL has run a far-reaching communications campaign. More than a million letters have been sent to those seen driving in the area and more than 600,000 leaflets have been sent to residents living close to the boundary.
Four million emails have been sent to people on TfL’s customer database, and there has been an extensive advertising campaign spanning radio, TV, posters, press, social media and online.
The Mayor of London has been running a £61m scrappage scheme and, so far, more than 12,000 older polluting cars, vans, minibuses and HGVs have been taken off the road or retrofitted.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “London’s toxic air is a health crisis causing long-lasting harm to our children and contributing to thousands of premature deaths.
“The Ultra Low Emission Zone has already cut nitrogen dioxide pollution by nearly half in central London and the expansion of the zone means many more Londoners across the city will enjoy the benefits of cleaner, healthier air.
“We need bold action to clean up London’s air and whilst it’s encouraging that four out of five vehicles now meet the current standards and won’t have to pay the ULEZ charge, I advise all drivers to use the TfL checker to make sure your vehicle is ULEZ compliant.
“Our scrappage scheme will continue supporting motorists to ditch their polluting cars and make the switch to greener forms of transport as we drive towards a green recovery.”
Drivers can check their vehicle meets the standards in the expanded ULEZ here tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/
