Slough pollution mirrors Londons as ULEZ 'not in the cards for town'

It comes as Slough MP Tan Dhesi said ULEZ is not in the cards for Slough, despite the zone approaching the town's border in August.

Mr Dhesi said: "In terms of ULEZ, that only applies to Greater London.

"I don't think that is even in the cards [for Slough]."

"I know that London's elected mayor is trying to deal with the air pollution and the thousands of deaths that they have.

"They are dealing with their own health issues [and aim] to make the air in their city and for their residents a lot cleaner."

According to data by Friends of the Earth, Langley has the highest amount of air pollution in Slough, with amounts of Nitrogen Dioxide and particulate matter exceeding the health limit.

In Langley levels of Nitrogen Dioxide are 60 per cent over the health limit, with 16.11 µg/m3 recorded on average. The health limit is set at 10 µg/m3.

The majority of Slough continues to reflect this with central Slough, particularly the high street and area surrounding the train station, being almost double the limit. 

Similar amounts of air pollution can be found in Greenwich and Lewisham in London.

Pollution map (Image: Friends of the earth)

On August, 29, ULEZ will be expanding to encompass Greater London, with vehicles travelling within the M25 circular at risk of being charged £12.50 a day under the new tariff should their car not meet pollution standards.

Those driving a petrol car registered after 2005 typically meet ULEZ standards, and diesel cars registered after September 2015. 

The zones are aimed at improving air pollution and improving public health and were first introduced on April 8, 2019 in central London.

While Slough may not be included in the rollout, Mr Dhesi has called on the government to include the town in the ULEZ scrappage scheme - which is aimed at helping those on a low income, those living with a disability, small businesses, sole traders and charities with the cost of changing vehicle.

Mr Dhesi said: "What is important to areas like Slough is that many individuals from Slough have to travel in and out of London, whether it is for work or to meet up with family and friends or just a night or day out.

"So I do take on board some points that about 90 per cent of vehicles are already compliant and that they will not be impacted by the ULEZ charge.

"What we are saying is that given our close proximity to London we should be having funds from central government to help our residents to make the transition, so we need a scrappage scheme for counties such as Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey.

"I want my constituents to be able to benefit from that before some of them are impacted by ULEZ charges."

"We need to make sure that our residents are protected, not just from the climate crisis but also from the extra charges that some of them may have."