Early warning klaxon: on Monday, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) is expanding to the area within the North and South Circular roads.
This means that older diesel and petrol vehicles are liable to pay a £12.50 daily charge in order to drive around much of the capital. The reason for its introduction is part of a wider move to rid London of its toxic air.
The Standard has long campaigned to clean up London’s air, which is a leading contributor to strokes, asthma, heart disease and some cancers. As the Mayor said today: “It’s a matter of life and death.”
Yet we have also been clear that the Ulez must be the continuation of the clean air, low carbon revolution, not the end. That means boosting the whole sustainable transport ecosystem, from rapid charging points to cycle lanes and public transport. There will never be the perfect time to introduce such a charge.
From the pandemic to the imperfect scrappage scheme, and shortage of new and used cars, it has been a challenge. But London must bite the bullet.
Welcome back!
The supposed great escape from the capital is now facing a counter-revolution driven by “boomerang buyers” returning to a resurgent city.
We think of it as a sort of pandemic-related gap year from London, after which those who left have remembered why they liked living in the city to begin with. Welcome back!
