Sadiq Khan slammed over 'nonsense data' behind ULEZ scheme

2023-02-14

Sadiq Khan slammed over ‘nonsense data’ behind ULEZ scheme which council chief says didn’t take into account his region’s older population

Sadiq Khan said toxic air led to premature deaths of 4,000 Londoners each year
Those in Outer London are some of the most vulnerable due to their age

A scheme charging some motorists £12.50 a day to drive in London to cut air pollution has been accused of using data that is ‘complete nonsense’.

The Ultra-Low Emission Zone championed by mayor Sadiq Khan is expanding to all outer London boroughs from August.

In an open letter to those opposing his plans, Mr Khan said toxic air led to the premature deaths of 4,000 Londoners each year.

He said: ‘Research by Imperial College London shows Bromley has the highest premature deaths linked to air pollution with an estimated 204 lives lost in 2019.’

But Bromley Council leader Colin Smith said the study commissioned by City Hall ‘chose to ignore Bromley’s much older population profile’.

The Ultra-Low Emission Zone championed by mayor Sadiq Khan is expanding to all outer London boroughs from August

He said many elderly residents spent ‘their younger years in inner London experiencing the smogs and smoke-filled pubs of yesteryear’. He added: ‘It is complete nonsense.’

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: ‘These councils are denying the science in order to justify their opposition to clean air policies.

‘The air quality data used by City Hall is completely robust and is based on the most accurate scientific investigation into the human cost of poor air from globally renowned experts at Imperial College London.

‘It is extremely disappointing that these four local authorities refuse to accept the categorical proof that toxic air really is a matter of life and death.

Around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely every year as a result of poor quality air, with those in Outer London some of the most vulnerable due to their age and therefore hardest hit.

‘Sadiq refuses to sit back and do nothing when lives are being lost and urges these local authorities to support his plans to bring cleaner air to every Londoner – wherever they live in the capital.’

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