LEADERS of four outer London councils, including Hillingdon, today (8) told the Mayor of London his air pollution statistics are misleading.

The Mayor had earlier written to the leaders of Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon citing mortality rates as a key ground for justifying expansion of ULEZ, the emission-free driving zone. 

A letter from the leaders says: “We share your commitment to improve air quality, but our outer London boroughs enjoy good air quality, with [pollution] levels considerably below those in inner and central London.

“Careful consideration must be given to the adverse impact on residents and businesses, and we believe you have failed to give sufficient weight to this.

“Your expectation that residents in outer London boroughs without ULEZ-compliant cars should use public transport as an alternative is disingenuous.  

“Your own London Plan acknowledges that car use is necessary in areas with low Public Transport Assessment Level.

“With public transport not being a realistic alternative, many elderly and low-income residents and small businesses are likely to lose their mobility and livelihood.

“We believe the £270million it will cost to expand the scheme can be better spent to improve air quality that will not add to the financial burden on Londoners. 

We shall continue to defend the interests of residents and businesses and your letter has not weakened our resolve.

“We remain willing to work with you to help improve even further the air quality in outer London but the expansion of ULEZ is not the solution.

“You should pause its implementation if you are genuine in wishing us to work together.”