Hot air

Government's discourse around ULEZ has Laura wondering how to get cyclists’ argument across

-  Harry Tennant

I flinched a little when I heard the words, "So, is the ULEZ as bad as the newspapers make out?". I was in Somerset visiting family when, in a cafe over breakfast, a neighbour of my mum's asked the question about London's newly-expanded Ultra Low Emissions Zone. I was expecting a bit of an argument. To his credit, though, the neighbour was ultimately receptive to the idea that parts of the media had given him the wrong end of the stick. Like all things, I said, it's rarely as simple as newspaper reports suggest - and while a small proportion of people with the dirtiest vehicles will undoubtedly lose out from the emissions-based charges, far more people will benefit from the resulting cleaner air.

This conversation took place before the Prime Minister and his cabinet jumped on the post-Uxbridge by-election bandwagon, calling such measures 'anti-motorist'. Then followed a promised review of things designed to make our roads safer for walking and cycling, like Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and 20mph zones. While debate is healthy, the language flying around from ministers worryingly echoed internet conspiracies, even throwing doubt over well-respected academics' work.