Children's Journey to School: Families' and Teachers' Experiences of ULEZ, 2025
A new study in BMJ Open highlighted the benefits and challenges of London's ULEZ for children, families and teachers.
Summary
The Children's Health in London and Luton (CHILL) study explored the impact of London's Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on children's journey to school. Through in-depth interviews with 21 families from the CHILL Study and seven teachers from CHILL schools, researchers identified key drivers of change and ongoing challenges in adapting to the ULEZ.
The findings highlighted benefits of the ULEZ, with many families noticing cleaner air and safer roads in London.
Families reported the rising costs of car travel and reduced convenience made active travel more appealing. Those who already walked or cycled discussed how improved air quality made the journey more enjoyable and healthier. With less traffic, some families took longer scenic routes home, which meant they spent more time together being active. Teachers observed fewer asthma related symptoms among students and noted that safer streets encouraged more outdoor play.
Still, adapting to the ULEZ posed challenges for families outside central London, as the scrappage scheme to support some families upgrade their vehicles was not enough to fully cover the cost of a new ULEZ compliant car. Additionally, public transport was described an expensive or poorly connected outside central London. Some families parked outside the zone and walked, while others felt forced to continue driving as it remained the most affordable and convenient option.
The study highlights inequalities in access to cleaner, greener travel, calling for faster investment in affordable, well-connected transport options across all boroughs.
Overall, the study reinforces the importance of policies like the ULEZ in shaping healthier, sustainable cities while also ensuring solutions are inclusive and equitable.
Read the publication
Find the publication online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-091929
Citation: Alliott, O., van Slujis, E., Dove, R. et al. London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone and active travel to school: a qualitative study exploring the experiences of children, families and teachers.