Mayor Proposes Londoners to Set Date for Extension of Ultra Low Emission Zone

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Londoners will be able to say whether they want the extension of the Central  to the North and South Circular to be launched in 2019 or later as Mayor Sadiq Khan initiated the second phase of air quality consultation, the London Assembly said Monday.

"The consultation gives Londoners’ the opportunity to have their say on the preferred date for the start of an expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone – which is up to the North South circular for cars, motorcycles and vans, and in central London for buses, coaches and lorries… Options include as early as 2019 to 2021 or later," the London Assembly said in a press release.

The Assembly reiterated the plans of London Mayor Sadiq Khan to implement central ULEZ one year ahead of schedule, in 2019.

The polluting vehicles that do not meet the Euro 4/IV emissions standard for nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions entering the Congestion Charge zone will be charged with Emissions Surcharge (T-charge) since October 2017, the press release continued, explaining that the T-charge of $12.41 is supposed to be imposed on top of the existing Congestion Charge.

In May, Khan, who pledged to work on giving Londoners the opportunity "not to survive but to thrive," promising better wages, security and a cleaner and healthier city, announced his plans to introduce a new package of measures to deal with air pollution in the UK capital.

According to the official statistics, nearly 10,000 Londoners die annually due to air pollution, while the cost of negative health impacts caused by air pollution on London’s economy is estimated to reach $5 billion.