LONDON: Heathrow Airport has revealed plans to introduce an Ultra-Low Emission Zone (Ulez) to generate funding for sustainable transport schemes links to the airport. The airport says it will become the world’s first airport with an Ultra-Low Emission Zone (Ulez) in 2022.
Heathrow’s Ulez will introduce minimum vehicle emissions standards identical to the London Mayor’s Ulez and will be applied to passenger cars and private hire vehicles entering car parks or drop-off areas at any time at any of Heathrow’s terminals.
Charges of between £10 and £15 will be levied on older, more polluting vehicles entering the proposed Ulez, in line with charges set by the Mayor of London.
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Over time, with the opening of the new runway from 2026 and improvements to public transport access to the airport, the Heathrow Ulez will transition into a vehicle access charge (VAC) on all passenger cars, taxis and private hire vehicles coming to car parks or drop-off areas.
“The goal is to tackle the main source of local air pollution – road vehicles – and reduce congestion by encouraging more people to use sustainable ways of getting to and from the airport.”
“Revenue generated from both schemes will help fund initiatives to improve sustainable transport, contribute to community compensation and help keep airport charges affordable as the airport expands,” Heathrow added.
Full details for the Ulez will be confirmed once Heathrow’s final development consent order application for expansion has been submitted following the completion of its public consultation.
Newly-appointed chair of the Heathrow Transport Area Forum Val Shawcross said: “This is a significant step change in Heathrow’s effort to clean up local ground level air pollution by shifting people into the cleanest modes of transport.”
