Nearly three quarters of Londoners overestimate how many vehicles will be affected by ULEZ expansion
New polling released by the climate charity Possible, and conducted by Survation, has found that Londoners think many more cars will be affected by the ULEZ expansion than official figures from the Mayor of London’s office.
74% of Londoners surveyed overestimated the amount of vehicles that will be affected by the ULEZ expansion, with 40% of people thinking over 40% of vehicles will be affected - an estimate more than twice the actual figure. The Mayor’s office reports indicate that only 15% of vehicles (and just 10% of cars) are now likely affected. The Mayor’s data is based on analysis of vehicles actually driving through outer London on a typical day.
Participants were also asked if they thought that the government should allocate funding for the scrappage scheme, to which 60% said yes, and if they were concerned about the impacts of air pollution on the health of children, to which 66% said they were.
The ULEZ expansion has become a divisive political issue with several boroughs in outer London directly challenging the expansion. However, air pollution is becoming increasingly salient as an issue in London with significant pieces of research showing just how much it is affecting Londoners’ health. In addition, in order to meet London’s climate targets, capital car traffic needs to fall by an unprecedented minimum of 27% by 2030 so all efforts to drive down traffic, improve air quality, and help the climate are absolutely vital.
Leo Murray, co-director at climate charity Possible, said:
“What we’ve seen in this polling is that the negative portrayal of the ULEZ by vested interests from certain political and pro-motoring groups has warped people’s perception of its expansion. We need to start righting the wrongs by telling people the truth, and prevent the essential job of reducing air pollution and carbon emissions from turning into a culture war. The new figures from the Mayor show that ULEZ expansion is already helping to take the dirtiest, most-polluting vehicles off our roads and with it, we can start building a greener, safer and more climate-friendly London.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
For full breakdown of the polling please click HERE.
For media enquiries and further information please contact press@wearepossible.org or 07806431577.
Leo Murray, co-director at climate charity Possible, is available for comment. Please email press@wearepossible.org for more information.
Possible is a UK-based charity that brings people together to take positive, practical action on climate change. Combining individual and local actions with larger systemic change, we connect people with each other, and communities with ways to address the climate crisis. wearepossible.org.