London's air quality 'not improved' by congestion charge

The London congestion charge has done little to improve air quality in the capital, researchers said today.

The toll, introduced in central London in 2003 and expanded in both price and area since then, was designed to cut traffic and congestion in the city centre.

Car numbers have fallen by a fifth, but research showed there has been little change in pollutants such as smog, diesel soot and carbon monoxide, New Scientist magazine reported.

Nitrogen oxides levels even increased slightly, according to Kings College London researcher Frank Kelly who led the research.

Prof Kelly said the rise in nitrogen oxides may be due to the filters on buses - which have increased in number by 25% since the congestion charge was introduced - which trap soot but let gases out into the atmosphere. The researcher said the scheme did not have air quality or people's health in mind, but he conducted the experiment to see if it could have an affect on the air in London.

His team collected air quality measurements over two years before and after the charge - which was originally £5 before rising to £8 - was brought in.

There was little change in pollutants after the charge was introduced, but Prof Kelly suggested expanding controls to the rest of London could cut pollution. "If one enlarged that area, then you would be able to have a small but important impact on air quality and presumably health."