Emergency hospital admissions fell after introduction of London’s T-charge and Ulez, study suggests

London’s ultra low emissions zone was introduced in 2019 and expanded in 2023. Photograph: Marcin Rogozinski/Alamy

Low emission and clean air zones attract controversy whenever they are proposed, but there is growing evidence that they work in improving air quality. The Bradford zone was followed by a reduction of about 25% in GP visits for heart and breathing problems and survey data shows that the central London zone was followed by a reduction in the likelihood of a person taking sick leave.

Now analysis of health records has found emergency admissions to hospital reduced after the introduction of the T-charge and ultra-low emissions zone (Ulez) in central London.