ULEZ involves explaining complicated science with long-term health outcomes. ULEZ's costs are brutally simple. Car owners with 18-year-old cars suffer immediately. Therefore, there's a conflict between short-term pain and long-term benefits. This is toxic for politicians. Havering's politicians have chosen to placate the 'victims' of short-term pain at the cost of Public Health.
MPs
Jon Cruddas says1 ULEZ is will be a good idea after the cost-of-living crisis finishes.
Julia Lopez says she wants to continue her climb up the political ladder.
Andrew Rosindell says Havering should exit London and ULEZ
Councillor Leaders
Keith Darvill supports Cruddas with ULEZ pushed into an unknown future date.
Ray Morgon thinks ULEZ isn't right because Havering only has a 'few' hotspots.2
Damian White is currently in a Trappist Monastery.
Their Mutual Problem
No councillor or MP acknowledges ULEZ will reduce Havering's three-a-week death rate.
No councillor or MP acknowledges 100s of children suffer from lung impairment caused by air pollution.
Havering's Legal Obligation
Our [the government] landmark Environment Bill places a duty on us to set at least two air quality targets by October 2022, including an ambitious, legally-binding target to reduce fine particulate matter – the most damaging pollutant to human health. We know local authorities are best placed to address the issues they face in their areas. We look forward to receiving innovative ideas for ways to reduce emissions, help communities understand how they can limit their exposure to air pollution, and promote cleaner, greener alternatives.
Source Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The impact of Fine Particulate Matter
Studies have found a close link between exposure to fine particles and premature death from heart and lung disease. Fine particles are also known to trigger or worsen chronic disease such as asthma, heart attack, bronchitis and other respiratory problems…..An association between mothers' exposure to fine particles and birth defects has also been established by several reports.
Source What is PM2.5 and Why You Should Care | Bliss Air
Havering's Politicians and ULEZ
Havering's politicians won't admit there's a Public Health air pollution crisis. They deny the science and impacts of air pollution, which are well established. The NHS can't save the lives of 178 people p.a. and only mitigates child lung impairment. That's the political challenge.
Havering's politicians are dodging the decision-making bullet. They've made the 'decision' to maintain the status quo ante.3 As a result, 100s of children will pay an awful price in impaired lung capacity. Meanwhile older people die gruesome deaths from respiratory failure.
Havering's politicians are spineless because they never discuss the consequences of their position. They never say how many deaths and lung impairment events are acceptable in their protection of those owning elderly cars. The unstated position is that short-term political advantage is more important than Public Health.
Notes
1 "says" This is a paraphrase of the implications of public statements. For Julia this is satire as it is for Andrew. None of them actually said what I say they said. Keith and Ray said things which are loosely connected to this section. Damian isn't in a Trappist Monastery.
2 £9 million fund opens for local projects to tackle air pollution - Defra in the media (blog.gov.uk) accessed 17th February 2023. The government clearly think that the time for action has arrived and look forward to Councils putting their best foot forward. This is in addition to ULEZ.
3 NetFlix's film 'Don't Look Up' was based on the idea that if you couldn't see a threat it didn't exist
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