Improving air quality by supporting sustainable transport

Rebuilding a greener Hackney

Since the coronavirus pandemic, many of us have changed the way we get around. People are walking and cycling more. However, since 2013 there has been an increase in the number of car journeys in London.

We want to build back a greener Hackney through supporting the use of active travel such as walking and cycling and prioritising public transport.

We are doing this through the implementation of a range of traffic schemes and improving protected cycle lanes. These aim to improve air quality by managing the amount and type of traffic on our roads.

View more information on rebuilding a greener Hackney.

Air quality and traffic schemes

We use both air quality modelling and monitoring to understand the impacts of traffic schemes, such as low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), on air quality.

Cycling

Cycling is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel and has the added co-benefits of improving physical and mental health.

We’re London’s leading borough for cycling, and now have a higher proportion of journeys made by bike than any other borough.

This is because we are making cycling more accessible and safer by investing in cycling routes such as the cycle superhighways which run through the borough.

Find out more about how we’re supporting all aspects of cycling, including training, bike maintenance, parking and storage.

School Streets

We’re implementing our pioneering School Streets programme at schools across the borough.

They work by shutting off the road outside schools to traffic at set times. This means that only pedestrians and cyclists can access them.

This is to reduce congestion and pollution sources outside schools, therefore improving air quality and road safety.

Anti-idling

Vehicle idling is leaving the engine of your vehicle running while stationary. Rules on idling don’t apply when the vehicle is stopped in queuing traffic or at a red light.

We’re one of 31 boroughs that participated in a pan-London anti-idling project – idling action. The campaign aimed to change behaviour around idling by raising awareness of the impacts that vehicle idling can have on air quality.

As a project partner, we delivered various activities such as school workshops and idling action events within the community.

As part of the efforts to raise awareness and encourage behaviour change, we’re installing signs in idling ‘hotspot’ areas reminding drivers to turn their engines off when stationary.

Additionally, we are part of the project’s engines off campaign. This means we’ve asked our fleet operators to make a pledge to stop idling and help improve air quality.

Supporting electric vehicles

We’ve installed publicly accessible electric vehicle charging points across the borough.

We were also the first borough to provide publicly accessible on-street rapid charging points, including for taxis.

This roll-out supports policies such as the Mayor of London’s ultra low emissions delivery plan and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) go ultra low scheme.

See electric vehicles to find out more, including the locations of charging points.

Ultra low emission streets

In partnership with Islington Council and the Mayor of London, we’ve set up 2 ultra low emission (ULEV) streets on the City Fringe during peak hours (Monday to Friday, 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm).

During these hours, only vehicles which are low emission are permitted to enter the area which also makes cycling and walking more attractive.

Find out more about ULEV streets including a map of the zones.

Zero Emission Network

The Zero Emission Network (ZEN) which works across Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Islington aims to support businesses and residents making the switch to low or zero emission modes of transport.

Free offers for ZEN members range from E-bike switch grants to eco audits to help reduce emissions.

See how you can work towards cleaner air by signing up for free to ZEN.

Our fleet

We are continuing to upgrade and improve our award-winning fleet and associated infrastructure to reduce emissions.

Charging points are being rolled out across the borough’s depots, supporting the switch to electric vehicles.

A high proportion of our fleet is Euro 6 compliant. In addition, all waste and parks vehicle refuelling at the Millfields depot use hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) as a fuel source, replacing fossil fuel diesel. Vehicles running on HVO fuel have reduced emissions of NOx and particulate matter at the tailpipe, as well as producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Charging polluting vehicles

We were one of the first local authorities to introduce emissions-based parking permits, meaning that polluting vehicles are charged more so as to discourage their use. Diesel vehicles, which emit higher levels of NOx and particulate matter, also pay a surcharge.

Details of all our parking charges are set out in our parking and enforcement plan.

Ultra low emission zone expansion

In London, road transport contributes to around half of NO₂ emissions as well as leading to increased PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 emissions.

To help combat emissions from road transport, Transport for London (TfL) implemented an ultra low emission zone (ULEZ). This covered the same area as the congestion charge zone.

The whole of Hackney has been within the ULEZ since 25 October 2021, when it was expanded to the North and South Circular Roads. The ULEZ expanded to all of Greater London on 29 August 2023.

If you drive a vehicle within the ULEZ, it must meet the prescribed standards or you’ll be required to pay a charge.

Find out more about the ULEZ including the expansion and vehicle standards.

See our Air Quality Action Plan for more details on how we are improving air quality across the borough.