Mayor announces first clean, green bus routes

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has confirmed plans for the first of a series of ‘Low Emission Bus Zones’ as part of his plans to clean up the capital’s toxic air.

Promised as part of his election manifesto, the Low Emission Bus Zones are due be operational by 2020 and are expected to reduce NOx emissions from buses along these routes by around 84 per cent.

The first route along Putney High Street will come into place in February 2017 and will see exclusive use of hybrid or diesel buses with top-of-the-range anti-pollutant systems that meet or exceed Euro VI emissions standards. The second route between Brixton and Streatham will be converted in October 2017.

The Low Emission Bus Zones will also incorporate a number of changes to the road layout to ensure buses have priority over other traffic and are able to keep moving, cutting emissions from unnecessary idling and speeding up journey times.

Khan said: “Too many of London’s busiest high streets are choked with fumes and this move will improve the health of those living and working in the most polluted areas. I am determined to reduce emissions and improve London for everyone, and this is the latest in a number of changes I am making to deliver on this.”