I read with interest your piece on the five councils seeking to block Sadiq Khan’s extension of the London ultra-low emission zone to the whole capital (London mayor has no legal power to expand Ulez zone, high court told, 4 July). The mayor of London is right to be concerned about citizens’ air quality, but councils are also right to be worried about residents’ needs. However, addressing these concerns isn’t as simple as taking cars off, or keeping them on, the road.
In London, where excellent public transport options exist, Ulez is certainly an effective way to reduce transport emissions. This isn’t the case everywhere. The transport sector’s biggest task is the need to decarbonise the vehicle fleet. But as we tackle this challenge, we must remember that transport networks exist to support society, so answer to wider needs. What is the plan to decarbonise transport and improve people’s access to it outside London? The truth is, we don’t have one.
