On August 29, 2023, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was expanded across the entirety of Greater London.

The scheme, created and announced by London Mayor Sadiq Khan in November 2022 saw cars that do not meet emission requirements pay a daily fee of £12.50 to drive in the area.

Mayor Khan and Transport for London (TfL) created the ULEZ in a bid to "help clear London's air and improve health".

Research showed that London has poor air quality, with TfL sharing that this was "mainly caused by polluting vehicles."

Since the announcement of the ULEZ expansion nearly two years ago, it has continued to receive mixed opinions and created debate within local communities.

But now, nearly a year since the ULEZ was expanded, we've asked our readers what they think of the scheme and whether it's affected their day-to-day lives.

Here's what Londoners had to say.

What do Londoners think of the ULEZ expansion one year on?

Asking Londoners what their thoughts of the ULEZ are and whether they agreed with the scheme, we received a mixed response, with some claiming it's been a positive change whilst others have been left upset by the expansion.

One local said that the ULEZ had made them "happy", sharing: "I have a compliant car and asthma, so I'm quite happy. I ventured into the West End for the first time in years and the difference in traffic levels was so noticeable."

Another who opposed the scheme said they were looking to move away from London over the ULEZ: "Totally don't agree with it. Haven't been able to use our 7-seater car. Currently purchasing a house up North, to get as far away from London as possible!!!!!"

Others said they liked the idea of the ULEZ but not how it was rolled out: "In principle yes it is a good thing, the way it is being done, no."

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One Londoner likes the ULEZ and what it stands for: "Hasn't affected me at all as I drive one of the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of cars which is compliant with emissions standards.

"And given the positive effect it has on air quality and the way it has helped take the most polluting cars off the streets of London I'm hugely in favour of the scheme."

But some said that they did not like the ULEZ as one said they should "Get rid of it. Can't go out anywhere" and another added: "Totally wrong made no difference whatsoever".

Responding to locals thoughts, Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, TfL, said: “On 29 August 2023, the Ultra Low Emission Zone expanded London-wide to help tackle the triple challenges of air pollution, the climate emergency and traffic congestion. In London, around 4,000 premature deaths are attributed to toxic air each year, as well as increased risks of asthma, cancer and dementia.

“The latest figures show that the London-wide ULEZ has been more effective than expected. NOx pollutants from cars and vans are estimated to be 13 per cent and seven per cent lower than a scenario without the expansion, amounting to a total reduction of 424 tonnes in NOx emissions. This is equivalent to removing 200,000 cars from the road for one year. Additionally, PM2.5 exhaust emissions from cars in outer London are estimated to be 20 per cent lower than without the expansion.

“The introduction of the London-wide ULEZ has been supported by a scrappage scheme open to all Londoners, small businesses and charities with non-compliant vehicles. The scheme has already seen more than £186 million committed to around 54,000 applicants to help them get cleaner vehicles and transition to greener modes of transport. Data shows that 96.3 per cent of all vehicles recorded driving in the zone are now compliant, with a 53 per cent reduction in non-compliant vehicles driving on an average day in the first six months of the ULEZ expansion compared to June 2023.

“Any income generated from the scheme is being reinvested back into public transport, including improving bus routes in outer London.”