Addressing the issue of pollution and poor air quality, Islington Council are taking a steadfast approach to reducing the impact of emissions from vehicles in the borough, through enforcing ultra-low emission zones, restricting traffic, and replacing energy inefficient vehicles.
The council’s Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle Streets programme has banned all non-zero emission vehicles from the Old Street and City Fringe area at certain times of the day to reduce the build-up of pollutants. This goes hand-in-hand with the ‘School Street’ programme which restricts traffic outside 10 schools in the borough at opening and closing times to improve road safety, and encourage active travel and reduce pollution near schools.
In addition, the council is currently replacing 160 of its fleet with vehicles that will either significantly reduce or eliminate emissions, to add to their 150 vehicles that are Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) compliant.
Islington has also started enforcing an emissions-based parking policy and implemented a Diesel Surcharge on resident parking permits to encourage a shift away from polluting diesel vehicles, and encourages a London-wide ban on diesel engines by 2025.
Since 2012, average annual nitrogen dioxide levels across the borough have reduced by 16%. More localised monitoring shows that annual nitrogen dioxide levels have fallen since 2012 by 31% at Archway, following the creation of Navigator Square and the removal of an out-dated and dangerous traffic-dominated gyratory, improving air quality for residents.
