London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is set to be expanded city-wide as part of the drive to tackle air pollution, the climate emergency and congestion.

Announced on Friday, the expansion will come into effect on 29 August 2023 and will operate across all London boroughs up to the existing Low Emission Zone boundary.

More than 500,000 Londoners live with asthma and are more vulnerable to the impacts of toxic air, with more than half of these people living in outer London boroughs.

Air pollution also leads to around 4,000 Londoners dying prematurely each year, children growing up with stunted lungs and a higher risk of dementia in older people.

It is estimated that the expansion of the ULEZ will mean that five million more Londoners will breathe cleaner air.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: ‘The latest evidence shows that air pollution is making us sick from cradle to the grave.? Londoners are developing life-changing illnesses, such as cancer, lung disease, dementia and asthma. And it’s especially dangerous for children due to the long-lasting impact on their health and life chances, with kids in our city growing up with stunted lungs.

‘The ULEZ so far has been transformational, reducing harmful pollution levels by almost a half in central London. But there is still far too much toxic air pollution permanently damaging the health of young Londoners and leading to thousands of early deaths every year, with the greatest number of deaths in the outer London boroughs. Expanding the ULEZ London-wide will mean five million more people will be able to breathe cleaner air and live healthier lives.’

This article was originally published by LAPV.