London set to introduce £10 pollution charge

The capital's drivers will soon have to pay a toxicity charge on top of the existing £11.50 congestion fee – if their petrol or diesel-powered car was registered before 2006.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced plans to introduce a £10 "T-Charge" to cut pollution levels within the capital. The new restrictions are set to come into effect on 23 October.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the charge, Khan says that "it’s staggering that we live in a city where the air is so toxic that many of our children are growing up with lung problems".

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He adds that "Londoners overwhelmingly supported my plans to introduce this £10 charge" and that he will take further measures to "protect the health of Londoners and clean our filthy air."

Operating hours for the "T-Charge" will coincide with the congestion charge, which is currently enforced on Monday to Friday between the hours of 7am and 6pm. Those driving a petrol or diesel-engined vehicle registered before 2006 will be expected to pay a total of £21.50 during the specified times.

AutoExpress reports that the mayor also plans to reduce emissions in the city by "expanding and extraditing the Ultra Low Emissions Zone", in addition to reducing the roll-out times for low-emission double decker buses.

Transport for London has provided drivers with a free vehicle checker to see which models will be subjected to the new charge.