Transport for London have finally published some data on the impact of the expansion of the ULEZ to outer London on air pollution levels – see link below. The report is full of “spin” and misleading data.
I can do no better than to quote political commentator Gaia Fawkes: “Sadiq Khan’s wallet-hitting ULEZ expansion cost the taxpayer a whopping £500 million, and despite the spin that emissions are “dramatically” lower, the first report shows that roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations in outer London were just 4.4% lower since the scheme. No need to know the value for money when others are paying for it…
Still, the report tries to spin the abysmal figures, claiming harmful emissions were “21% lower” overall following the expansion. Though the buried ‘context’ section in the report shows the data includes “all of the Mayor’s policies to reduce emissions,” not just the ULEZ expansion. It even admits that it’s impossible to “isolate the impact of the ULEZ and its expansion.” Even when claims of success are impossible to verify, they can’t produce good numbers…
Susan Hall AM slammed the revelations:
“From day one, we were absolutely clear that expanding the ULEZ was going to cost the taxpayer a huge sum and hammer the poorest drivers, whilst making very little difference to air quality in outer London. Despite the Mayor’s outrageous attempts to spin the figures, we can see the effect of the expansion on air quality was minimal.”
A kick in the teeth for those having to fork up the £12.50 daily fee…”
In conclusion the ULEZ expansion was not justifiable on any rational cost/benefit analysis. It’s just been a tax raising exercise to bolster Sadiq Khan’s finances.
Roger Lawson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London
You can “follow” this blog by entering your email address in the box below. You will then receive an email alerting you to new posts as they are added.