London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) is to be expanded to cover all of London, the mayor has announced, despite “overwhelming” opposition.
From 29 August, drivers of the most polluting cars will have to pay £12.50 a day to enter to the Greater London Authority boundary.
A public consultation found 80% of people in the affected areas were opposed the expansion of the zone.
But Sadiq Khan says five million more people will benefit from cleaner air.
“The ULEZ so far has been transformational, reducing harmful pollution levels by almost a half in central London,” Mr Khan said.
“But there is still far too much toxic air pollution permanently damaging the health of young Londoners and leading to thousands of early deaths every year, with the greatest number of deaths in the outer London boroughs.”
Under the scheme, which was introduced in 2019, drivers are charged to enter the area within London’s north and south-circular orbital roads but the charge is not applied across the capital.
People with non-compliant cars who live in the ULEZ are not exempt from daily charges.
The mayor’s office believes about 200,000 non-compliant vehicles are driven regularly in London, a figure it expects to fall rapidly.
Some 60% of those who responded to the public consultation into the expansion plans were opposed to it, with 70% of residents in Outer London against the idea, and 80% of workers in Outer London opposed.
The Greater London Authority (GLA) Conservatives described the opposition as “overwhelming” and “staggering” and criticised the mayor for pushing ahead with the plans despite the public response.
A recent TfL report found the zone had had a limited effect on pollution levels, and some motoring groups have said they believe it unfairly penalises drivers.
The Alliance of British Drivers believes Mr Khan has exaggerated the public health benefits of the scheme.
“His whole basis for extending the ULEZ zone on the basis of public health doesn’t stand up to scientific scrutiny,” policy director Brian Gregory said.
“TfL (Transport for London) has an enormous hole in its budget and Mayor Khan is looking to fill that hole by any means that he can.”
Mr Gregory added he believed that some campaigners might pursue legal avenues to try to stop the plans.
“I think Mr Khan could quite conceivably find he has legal challenges heading his way,” he said.