The Mayor of London wants the whole of his city to soon be considered a vast low-emission zone, where only the least polluting vehicles will be allowed to drive free of charge. The aim of such a measure is evidently to considerably reduce traffic congestion in the city, as well as the air pollution that this causes.
Turning London into one big ultra-low emission zone
London's Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has announced a forthcoming consultation concerning the extension of the current ultra-low emission zone, or ULEZ, to cover the whole city, from 2023, with the aim of making the UK capital an exemplary "green" city.
The ULEZ is a zone where only the most recent and least-polluting vehicles can drive free of charge. The others have to pay an "entry fee" in addition to the tolls already in place to drive in the city center.
Smart road pricing is envisaged this time, i.e., motorists will be charged per kilometer. The toll system could then simply disappear. Different levels of tariffs could then be applied, depending on the level of vehicle pollution, the level of congestion or access to public transport in the area.
At the same time, subsidies for tradespeople, small businesses, non-profits and disabled people should be made available so that they can scrap their current vehicle and opt for a non-polluting model, enabling them to travel freely in the city.
This is not the first time that tough measures have been taken in London to fight pollution and congestion, as the city council wants Londoners to turn to walking, cycling and public transport more than driving.
The City Council's reasoning for the initiative is that improvements in air quality are much slower in outer London than in the city center, and that many health facilities are now located in areas that are particularly prone to air pollution.
Meanwhile, in Paris...
London's actions are in line with policies implemented or envisaged in other large European cities and capitals. In Paris, for example, the project for a "zone apaisée," or "calm zone," is causing controversy.
The city's idea is to inaugurate, by the beginning of 2024, a zone in the city center that will favor soft mobility and where car traffic will be totally prohibited, except for justifiable reasons. Here, the road will be reserved solely for pedestrians, bicycles, public transport and certain categories of motorists (merchants, tradespeople, cabs, people with disabilities, etc.). So-called destination traffic will be allowed, for example to travel to work, to visit friends, go to the doctor or to the cinema. If necessary, the police may ask drivers for the relevant proof in the event of a random check. Transit traffic, i.e., vehicles passing through the zone without stopping, is prohibited, however.
