Government Must Hold Firm On Ulez Expansion To Avoid Future Deaths

Hodge Jones & Allen represent Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah having acted on the landmark case, which concluded in December 2020 that air pollution contributed to 9-year-old daughter’s death from severe asthma.

Following the High Court ruling on Friday that the expansion of the ultra-low emission zones (Ulez) across London was lawful, Nancy Collins, Partner and Civil Liberties Solicitor at Hodge Jones & Allen, said: 

“The ruling on ultra-low emission zones (Ulez) will be welcomed by families whose health has been affected by poor air quality. Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah’s life was cut short due to the detrimental impact of air pollution in South London on her health. It is imperative, in particular for children’s health, that we take further action to improve the quality of the air we breathe.

“Following this important ruling several parties including the Prime Minister are questioning that decision, primarily on economic and nuisance grounds. We must not forget the clear evidential link between poor air quality and the risk to health demonstrated by Ella’s tragic early death. We must demonstrate our commitment to addressing the very real risk of more preventable, tragic deaths from a lack of clean air in our cities. This is a time for action on air pollution rather than reflection.”