Fleur Anderson Hails ULEZ Expansion Across London

Putney MP says the move is progress towards cleaner air

Fleur Anderson MP

September 1, 2023

Labour MP for Putney Fleur Anderson has welcomed this week’s expansion London-wide of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

The new zone now covers every London borough and she says this will bring cleaner air to five million more people, reducing carbon emissions in outer London by 27,000 tonnes.

The expansion ends the previous situation in which parts of Putney and Roehampton were within the scheme and others were outside of it depending on which side of the South Circular Road they were situated. This meant that some local people faced paying the charge for a short journey within Putney. Now all journeys by non-compliant vehicles will be charged if they pass an ANPR camera that is operational.

Opponents of the scheme have claimed that the air quality benefits of the scheme are overstated and that it unfairly targets people on lower incomes who are already struggling with the cost of living unable to afford newer cars or to replace their existing one.

Ms Anderson said, “Clean air is constantly raised with me as a priority for Putney’s residents and the shops on the High Street. On the doorstep I’m frequently talking to parents who are worried about walking their children to school along our polluted roads, those with asthma, health conditions and disabilities who fear for their health. Residents show me thick, black soot that has gathered on the inside walls of their homes, visual evidence of the pollution in our air. In 2021, I held a Clean Air Fair as part of my campaign to improve our air quality locally. It was clear that we needed urgent and meaningful action. The news that the Mayor of London has expanded the ULEZ London-wide will be cause for celebration for our residents.

“It is important to note that this is just one step in the plan to improve our air quality and tackle the climate crisis – I am delighted that there are also a record number of zero-emission buses on the roads and London has the largest electric vehicle charging network of any city in Europe. I am currently campaigning for all buses going down Putney High Street to be zero-emissions, and following my public meeting on active travel, submitted a report to Wandsworth Council calling for improved infrastructure for walking, wheeling and cycling. I will keep campaigning and am confident that we can make real progress towards cleaner air over the coming years.”

Ahead of expanding the ULEZ zone, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced that every London resident with a non-ULEZ compliant car would be eligible for a £2,000 grant.

Small businesses and sole traders will be able to receive up to £21,000 in grants to scrap up to three vans, and charities will be able to receive up to £27,000 in grants to scrap up to three minibuses. Grants to replace a non-compliant minibus with an electric minibus increase from £9,500 to £11,500.

Ms Anderson continued, “The Mayor has listened to the concerns of Londoners over recent months, particularly because of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, eligibility for the scrappage scheme has massively widened, and grants have increased for vans, minibuses, wheelchair accessible vehicles and retrofits. This is a vital step in creating a fairer, greener future for our city. I gave up my car because of the ULEZ and I know it isn’t an easy change for everyone.

“It is important to note that this is just one step in the plan to improve our air quality and tackle the climate crisis – I am delighted that there are also a record number of zero-emission buses on the roads and London has the largest electric vehicle charging network of any city in Europe. I am currently campaigning for all buses going down Putney High Street to be zero-emissions, and following my public meeting on active travel, submitted a report to Wandsworth Council calling for improved infrastructure for walking, wheeling and cycling. I will keep campaigning and am confident that we can make real progress towards cleaner air over the coming years.”

Prior to the expansion of the ULEZ, Wandsworth Council announced its own contribution of £1 million to the scrappage scheme, which will see those living with disabilities and those in receipt of certain benefits eligible for grants of up to £1000 to make their vehicles ULEZ compliant.

Wandsworth Council Leader Simon Hogg said, “Switching to more sustainable modes of transport as part of the expansion of ULEZ is at the heart of tackling air pollution – something we know is a real priority for local residents.

“At the same time household budgets are very stretched for everyone, and in particular those on lower incomes.”

He said the scheme, known as the Wandsworth Sustainable Travel Fund, will “provide targeted support to help local people struggling with the cost of living – as well as dedicated, hardworking local carers - make the transition away from high polluting vehicles”.