While London and the South East are enveloped in polluting smog and residents are warned to avoid outdoor exercise, Islington Greens are calling on Islington Labour to join their London Borough of Westminster colleagues in calling for Boris to widen the central London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) proposed for 2020.
The Mayor’s initial response to a multi party letter requesting Islington be included in the ULEZ from 2020, suggested he will not be looking to extend the zone beyond the current central congestion charge zone, leaving millions of Londoner’s still breathing toxic air. However under questioning from Green Party Assembly Member, Jenny Jones, the Mayor has now said he is in fact “happy to work with any borough” on expanding the ULEZ. So far only Islington Greens, Lib Dems and Tories are behind the request. We hope Islington’s Labour councillors will join us to seize this opportunity.
Caroline Allen, Green Party European Election candidate for London said: “We are facing a public health crisis in London. The Mayor’s own figures show more than 4,000 people per year are dying prematurely due to the effects of air pollution – more than die due to obesity. We’ve heard recently about Paris’ air pollution problems, but at least they took action with bans on vehicles and free access to public transport. London actually has worse air and yet we rarely hear warnings. Where is the response? The EU has finally had enough of broken promises and is now pushing ahead with fines of hundred of millions of pounds for repeated breaches of legal limits.”
Caroline Russell, Highbury East Council candidate, added: “Clean air is critical to health and well-being. We need bold action on this issue and the response of the Mayor and Islington Council to the extension of the proposed ULEZ has to date been disappointing. EU structural funds are available to help residents and businesses with the transition away from the old polluting vehicles and if we don’t act now to include Islington in the proposed ULEZ, we will be forced to take emergency measures in the future, as they have recently in Paris with cars banned according to their number plate. Labour Councillors in Westminster want the whole of their borough included in the ULEZ, I hope Labour in Islington will start negotiating for this too.”
Notes
Islington Greens organised a joint letter (6th Feb) from Islington Greens, Lib Dems, Tories and Independent Councillor Greg Foxsmith calling for Islington to be included in the proposed Ultra Low Emission Zone from 2020. Islington Labour did not sign up.
The Mayor responded on 13th March welcoming our enthusiasm for the ULEZ, calling for continued cross party work on the issue but saying that the Central Congestion zone is the limit to his ULEZ as the boundary is well understood.
19th March Jenny Jones AM pressed the Mayor to say he is “in discussion” with boroughs about the extension of the ULEZ.