Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ wins praise from Milan’s Mayor
Sadiq Khan has secured the support of the Mayor of Milan, one of Europe’s most congested cities, in his bid to extend London‘s Ultra-Low Emission Zone (Ulez) despite facing criticism from voters and his own party leader over charges faced by motorists.
Giuseppe Sala, who has been leading Milan’s municipal government since 2016, praised Khan’s policy on polluting cars, which served as an inspiration for Milan’s efforts to improve air quality in the northern Italian city.
Sala emphasized the importance of backing Khan’s endeavors at the national level, given the significant number of avoidable pollution-related deaths, as pressure mounts for the mayor to rethink his plans of expanding the Ulez charge beyond inner London next month.
According to Sala, London’s successful introduction and expansion of the ultra-low emission zone have guided Milan’s approach in prioritizing space for people over cars, reducing the number of polluting vehicles on the streets, and safeguarding the health of residents. He highlighted the positive impact of Ulez in London, where about 4 million people now breathe cleaner air due to reduced concentrations of harmful pollutants.
The Ulez policy, imposing a £12.50 daily charge on older diesel and petrol vehicles, played a pivotal role in the recent Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, where Labour narrowly lost. As the debate on green policies intensifies within the party, with Rishi Sunak suggesting that wedge issues like Ulez could help the Conservative party’s electoral prospects, and Keir Starmer urging Khan to reconsider his extension plans, City Hall indicates that Khan is open to listening to feedback.
Instead of facing criticism, Sala believes Khan’s policy should be supported by regional and national leaders across Europe who share concerns about poor air quality in major cities. The World Health Organization’s estimate of 50,000 preventable deaths annually on the continent due to air pollution underscores the urgency of taking action.
Ulez, implemented in central London in 2017, has already significantly reduced nitrogen dioxide from traffic by 46% by October 2022. However, studies show that approximately 4,000 Londoners still die prematurely each year due to toxic air.
Milan, with 49 cars per 100 inhabitants, grapples with severe air pollution, making Sala’s endorsement of Ulez even more significant. Acknowledging the potential disproportionate impact of low-emission zones on lower-income individuals, Sala advocates investing in public transport and shared car clubs as alternatives.
To address concerns of residents driving older, more polluting vehicles, Sala suggests providing support, subsidies, and exemptions while investing in improved public transportation. By sharing experiences and learning from each other, Sala hopes that cities can lead the way in taking bold actions to combat air pollution and improve public health.