Some London boroughs are still objecting to the Ulez scheme
(Picture: PA)It’s great to see new evidence that the Ulez has been incredibly effective at taking the most polluting vehicles off the road — it’s making a big difference to the air quality in urban areas. Our children are breathing dangerous levels of air pollution, especially in boroughs such as Islington where traffic levels are very high. Traffic fumes are the largest source of air pollution in the borough so removing the worst offenders is vital to improving air quality.
My neighbours sold their very old diesel car just before the Ulez came to Islington in October 2021. They didn’t want to pay the charge so they bought a less polluting car. It shows how much we need these schemes to encourage people to either change their car, or ideally not have a car at all.
We walk, cycle or scoot alongside roads whenever possible, but my daughter has to get a bus to school along a very polluted main road. I worry about what she is breathing in and the long-term damage this could have on her health. The Ulez report shows it has made a significant difference in reducing nitrogen oxides by 26 per cent in just one year since it was introduced in our borough in October 2021. The Ulez has reduced the pollution she breathes every day by more than a quarter.
All schools in Islington are now included in the Ulez zone, which is vital as children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. Asthma levels in Islington are among the highest in London with an average of two children in every class diagnosed with the condition. Several of our members have children with asthma and have spent worrying nights in hospital with children with young as one admitted in emergencies.
But it’s not only young people who are affected: an estimated 88 people died from air pollution in Islington last year. Toxic air is causing heart disease, strokes, dementia and cancer. These chronic conditions are exacerbated during episodes of high air pollution, triggering asthma attacks and more emergencies at hospitals.
Islington Clean Air Parents welcome the findings of the Ulez report. Since we’ve seen such positive results in our borough, we are keen to see the wider Ulez rollout in the outer boroughs. We need more action taken to meet World Health Organisation targets and protect our children’s health.
Lucy Facer is a member of Islington Clean Air Parents
