To receive a presentation for discussion on the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) from Transport for London.
Minutes:
The panel received a presentation from Lorraine Hinds and Esther Johnson (Transport for London) on the proposed expansion to the ultra low emission zone.
1. Presentation
The following points were highlighted during the presentation:
· Air pollution in London was a huge problem responsible for many early deaths. The coroner had recently ruled in a landmark case that it caused the death of a young child Ella Kissi Debrah.
· Pollution was worst along major roads and in central London.
· The parameters of the extended ULEZ would run just inside the North and South Circular Roads. It would operate 24 hours a day every day except Christmas Day.
· EU directives on air pollution remained in place. There were 13 key pollutants. Nitrogen Oxide was one of the worst. Diesel vehicles were the most polluting. However, 80% of current vehicles were already compliant.
· The congestion charge area had been operating a ULEZ zone in Central London since April 2019
· Non-compliant vehicles would be charged £12 and lorries/buses and coaches £100 per day. Enforcement would take place using number plate recognition technology.
· Since the introduction of the central ULEZ, there had been a 44% reduction in pollution in the central zone and 441 fewer polluting vehicles on the road.
· The Zone was due to be expanded on 25 October 2021, up to but not including the North and South Circular roads.
· All vehicles will have to comply with the Euro 6 standard.
· A small part of the London Borough of Enfield would be included including the North Middlesex Hospital. Transport for London was working with hospital staff to ensure that the implementation would not deter patients and staff visiting the hospital.
· There were no resident discounts, but there were some exemptions. It would not be bought in until 2025 for disabled vehicles. Military and private hire vehicles would be exempt as well as historic vehicles more than 40 years old.
· Work is being done to raise awareness of the issue that everyone needs to check that vehicles are compliant with the new standard.
· A communications tool kit was available and could be accessed by local groups and organisations on request.
· All London buses already meet or exceed the target.
· A van scrappage scheme was also in place to help small businesses switch to cleaner vehicles.
· Over 3,900 zero emission capable taxis are already licensed to operate in London. Over 300 rapid charging points have already been installed by Transport for London and local boroughs are installing more.
2. Questions/Comments
2.1 Councillor Brown asked for some information which she could forward on to her residents. Local groups were invited to get in touch: contact details and further information would be providedafter the meeting.
2.2 The scheme was linked to the DVLA and should be up to date.
2.3 There was also support for low income households and registered disabled.
2.4 Concern that there was no discount for those living in the area and that the scrappage scheme was currently suspended.
2.5 There was a grace period up until October 2025 for blue badge holders.
2.6 It was emphasised that over 80% of vehicles already met the required standard and this number was increasing.
2.7 Transport for London was one of the functional bodies including MOPAC (the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime) and the London Fire Service for which the elected Mayor of London was responsible for. People voted for the Mayor to administer Transport for London.
2.8 Concern that pollution was affecting children in schools across the borough and the view that the ULEZ should be extended to the M25.
2.9 Air pollution was a major problem within the North and South Circular roads. Outer London was less badly affected.
2.9 The need for monitoring to ensure that pollution around the North Circular in Enfield did not increase as a result of the zone.
2.10 There were complex arguments, including economic, for and against an extension to the M25 boundary, but most members expressed support for an extension.
3. Summing up by the Chair
The Chair agreed that this was an issue that needed careful consideration. She felt that there was a need to wait and see what the impact of the current extension of the zone would be before considering extending further. It was a good move forward for the environment and hopefully it would be a success.