Early indications show the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has been successful as research shows 74% of vehicles driving into the zone are compliant with the new standards.
Researchers have found approximately 9,400 fewer older polluting vehicles were driving into the zone on average every day throughout April, a reduction of 26% since March.
Since the scheme was announced in February 2017 there have been around 58% fewer non-compliant vehicles in the zone. During the first month of the zone around 32,100 non-compliant vehicles were detected on an average day with around 9% given a warning for their first contravention of the scheme, and 37% found to be exempt from the charge.
Elsewhere, Greater Manchester has launched an initial consultation about its Clean Air Zone (CAZ) plans which would see the largest zone in the country implemented across all ten local authority areas. The consultation is available on the Clean Air Greater Manchester website and will close on 30 June. In Coventry, the government has rejected the City Council’s clean air plans and directed the council to instead consider implementing a charging CAZ.
More information about the London ULEZ research is published on the Mayor of London’s website. The BVRLA has produced advice about the London ULEZ for members and motorists. Current air quality plans for the whole of the UK can be found on the association’s interactive CAZ map.
