The mayor of London has been urged to consider tougher traffic-reduction measures in the capital, such as road charging, to tackle air pollution.

In an amended motion passed yesterday by the London Assembly, Sadiq Khan has been asked to commission a study into a range of measures to improve the capital’s air quality.

The motion was approved by a vote of 14 to 1.

It follows the recent High Court ruling in favour of ClientEarth that criticised the government’s 2025 compliance date chosen for London to achieve required air quality levels and the method use to calculate emissions for road transport.

Assembly member Caroline Russell, who proposed the original motion, said: “I support measures that would reduce traffic on our already clogged streets, such as a road-charging scheme that has the backing of the Federation of Small Businesses, London First, the Royal Town Planning Institute, the Institute of Civil Engineers and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

“London needs a smart, effective and comprehensive system of traffic demand management if we ever hope to reduce air pollution and protect the health of the people who live in our city,” she added.

In its approved motion, the London Assembly said it welcomed the recent High Court ruling, as well as agreed with Sadiq Khan's plans to introduce an ultra low-emission zone and proposed T-charge to reduce air pollution.

“The Assembly calls on the mayor to commission a study to assess the potential of a range of further measures to reduce London’s exposure to air pollution,” the motion added.

You can watch a full webcast of the motion being discussed at the London Assembly.

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