ULEZ success in Waltham Forest

New data released last week (26 July) shows that the Mayor of London’s expansion of ULEZ (ultra-low emission zone) has delivered significant improvements in air quality across the capital and in Waltham Forest. In fact, air pollution equivalent to 200,000 cars driving on London’s roads for an entire year has been cut thanks to the expansion of ULEZ since last August. 

This comes as a further boost to the borough after the latest monitoring data for Waltham Forest showed no exceedance of the UK legal limits for nitrogen dioxide, for the first time since measurements began.

The same data shows harmful pollutant levels such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) decreasing year-on-year in the borough. 

Councillor Clyde Loakes MBE, Cabinet Member for Climate and Air Quality said: “Once again, Waltham Forest is leading the capital on cutting air pollution, delivering healthier and safer streets for local people, and tackling climate crisis with an ambitious plan for net-zero by 2030. 

“It’s incredibly pleasing to see that the data from the ULEZ six-month report and. It represents further progress in improving air quality in our borough, at a time when the latest data is showing long-term decreases to harmful emissions and for the first time, no exceedance of the UK legal limits for NO2. We will continue to work with the Mayor to keep delivering for residents. 

“Our Enjoy Waltham Forest programme has provided the inspiration and framework for London for active travel, healthier streets and easier, more inclusive cycling, but is a critical programme in helping clean up our air as well.

“Local roads are safer, our air is cleaner and every year, residents have had more options for safe walking and cycling routes – in fact, there is now 56 kilometres of cycle tracks to travel safely on.

“However, road transport is still currently the largest source of harmful emissions, and as we move into the second decade of Enjoy Waltham Forest, it remains vital that we continue to deliver more walking and cycling infrastructure to encourage more people to ditch their cars, and therefore helping create cleaner air for local people.  

“Our ambitious Mission Waltham Forest commitments are set on delivering net-zero for the borough by 2030 and continue to ensure further opportunities to walk and cycle on safer streets long into the future.”

ULEZ boost for borough… and across London

The expansion of the ULEZ last August brought five million more Londoners into the zone and included Waltham Forest. The data released today reveals that it is driving down emissions and bringing cleaner air to residents in the borough.  

Within the outer London ULEZ area, Nitrous Oxide (NOx) emissions from cars and vans are estimated to be 13% and 7% lower than would have been expected without the expansion. Fine particulates (PM2.5) exhaust emissions from cars in outer London are estimated to be 22% lower than would have been expected without the expansion.  

Roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations in outer London are up to 4.4% lower than would have been expected without the expansion. 96% of vehicles seen driving in London are now compliant, with a reduction in non-compliant vehicles dropping by more than half in six months. 

Lastly, more than 96% of vehicles seen driving in outer London are now ULEZ compliant. Bringing cleaner air to five million more Londoners.