ULEZ to cost Londoners £100 million over the next four years

By James Meyer, Local Democracy Reporter

London’s ULEZ will cost taxpayers more than £100 million over the next four years, new data has shown.

Transport for London plans to spend £52 million on the ULEZ  in the 2022/23 financial year, and a further £28 million in 2023/24.

It will also spend £21 million on the emission zone in 2024/25, a Freedom of Information Request revealed.

The costs cover areas such as maintenance and cameras.

But TfL claimed the ULEZ would stop more than 1 million hospital admissions over the next 30 years and save the NHS £5 billion.

This is because London’s toxic air contributes to thousands of deaths each year.

It is linked to heart disease, dementia, cancer and can stunt lung development in children.

TfL expects harmful nitrogen dioxide to fall by 30 per cent across the capital after the ULEZ’s expansion.

Christina Calderato, TfL’s director of transport strategy & policy, said: “London’s toxic air contributes to thousands of deaths each year and is linked to heart disease, dementia, cancer, and the stunted development of children’s lungs.

“People’s health and lives are at stake, which is why the expansion of the ULEZ has been implemented now, so that almost four million Londoners living in the expanded zone can benefit from breathing cleaner air.”

She added: “It is expected that following its introduction harmful nitrogen dioxide will fall by 30 per cent across the capital.

“The zone and other bold policies to tackle air pollution will save the NHS around £5 billion and more than one million hospital admissions over the next 30 years.

“The income from the expanded ULEZ will cover its costs. Any surplus will be reinvested into walking, cycling and public transport.”

The ULEZ covers all of the area within the North and South circulars, and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except Christmas Day.

You will be charged £12.50 per day by TfL if your vehicle is not compliant with emissions rules and you enter the ULEZ.

The penalty charge for cars that drive in the ULEZ and don’t pay the daily fee can be £80, rising to £160 if not paid within 14 days.