Getty ImagesNew analysis exhibits that schoolchildren residing in London’s ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) noticed an virtually fourfold improve in strolling and biking because the ban got here into impact, in contrast with youngsters exterior the zone.
The research, printed on Wednesday, adopted the journey habits of virtually 2,000 youngsters in London and Luton over two years.
The ULEZ was launched in an try to scale back traffic-related air air pollution. It is thought May have an effect on nerve improvement, cognitive capability and lung perform in youngsters.
The authors stated additional monitoring is required, but it surely gives proof of the potential influence of unpolluted air zones for different cities.
“This study is important because it highlights the many interconnected health problems that children face today,” stated Dr Christina Xiao, lead creator of the research and a inhabitants well being researcher on the University of Cambridge.
“we know that [car and van] “This has a detrimental influence on youngsters's well being by decreasing alternatives for bodily exercise and growing publicity to air air pollution, which may result in childhood sicknesses reminiscent of bronchial asthma,” he said.
Dr. Xiao said that so far there has been limited evidence of the direct impact of these policies on children's health.
Researchers surveyed 1,000 children from 44 schools in central London about how they attended school in 2018-19, before the introduction of the ULEZ, and in 2019-2020, after it was implemented.
The survey was repeated for the same number of children in Luton, outside the ULEZ area. The city of Luton was chosen because its demographic structure and household income levels are similar to those of central London.
The results showed that 4 in 10 children in central London who previously travelled to school by car started walking, cycling or taking public transport after ULEZ was implemented.
However, in Luton only two in 10 children changed their school journey during the same period.
“The Mayor and I are delighted that this study shows our decisive action is having an impact,” said Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner.
“The decision to introduce the Ultra Low Emission Zone was a huge step forward in our work to tackle London’s toxic air. It was a difficult decision, but it was necessary to save lives.”
Former Conservative Mayor of London Boris Johnson proposed in 2015 that the ULEZ should be introduced in central London, and following subsequent expansion, it is now the world's largest clean air zone (CAZ) – covering the most citizens.
In 2016, before it was introduced, London had the highest concentration of nitrogen dioxide – a major air pollutant emitted by road traffic – of any U.K. city. That year the capital breached U.K. legal limits for the gas for 4,130 hours, and About 10,000 people died prematurely due to air pollution.
,[The ULEZ] “Scientists name this a pure experiment; if we present massive well being results it’s going to have main implications for air high quality administration in cities world wide,” said Dr. Chris Griffiths, professor of primary care at Queen Mary University and author of the study.
London is now one of 14 major cities in England and Scotland that have a CAZ. They also include Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.
In 2023, Labour mayor Sadiq Khan's decision to extend the ULEZ to all London boroughs faced considerable public and political opposition.
Five Conservative-run councils also challenged the decision in the High Court – but ultimately lost.
And in July last year, Sir Keir Starmer said There is no doubt that this was the issue that caused his party to fail to win the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-elections.
Neil Garrett, London Assembly member and leader of the city’s Conservative group, said: “This study confirms what we have been saying all along, that the benefits of a ULEZ in central London, which is being considered in the study, are large and the costs are small.”
However, he said recent expansion into outlying areas had reduced these benefits, as “the alternate options to your automobile are virtually negligible”.
Dr Xiao said: “The ULEZ is an effective policy measure in addition to other complementary initiatives, including providing more accessible public transport and safer pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.
“Therefore, selections to implement related insurance policies ought to keep in mind the native context, reminiscent of current air high quality initiatives and transportation wants.”
paper The study was based on children's travel patterns for just one year after the introduction of the ULEZ. But the larger study, called CHILL, has been surveying children and their mode of travel to and from school for the past five years.
Dr Griffiths stated the crew now plans to judge the newest information to see whether or not the preliminary influence of ULEZ has endured.
With inputs from BBC
