Cough up for clean air

DRIVERS of diesels and older petrol vehicles must pay a £12.50 daily fee in Central London on top of the £11.50 congestion charge (Mail).

I am confused about the toxic air charge in the ultra low emission zone (ULEZ). It seems that though car emissions are dangerous, you can still pollute the air as long as you pay for the privilege.

Transport for London projects that in the first year of the ULEZ, revenue will be £ 174 million and costs £47 million, producing a surplus of £127 million. What are they going to do with it? Buy every Londoner a gas mask? Or are they just filling their coffers at the expense of motorists?

If emissions are so lethal, they should ban cars from central London or use the money to subsidise fares on public transport.

RONALD BALL, Farnborough, Hants. LEO McKINSTRY says London’s ULEZ will penalise the poorest because they have older, less environmentally- friendly vehicles (Mail).

Actually, the poorest 40 per cent of Londoners don’t own a car, yet they are still exposed to air pollution.

The ULEZ is bound to be unpopular with many, but it’s a bold and necessary move to help clean up London’s dangerously polluted air.

CHRIS DAY, Marsh Baldon, Oxon.