For Londoner Beau Boka-Batesa, air quality has drastically improved in the British capital following the rollout and expansion of a contested car pollution toll two years ago. However, according to music business owner Roger Tichborne, his business has seen a 15-20 percent drop in bands coming from outside the zone to use his rehearsal space because they are deterred by the daily charge of £12.50 (15 euros) for driving a polluting car within the zone. The Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ), the world's largest pollution charging scheme, was implemented in central London in 2019, before expanding to Greater London's nine million residents in 2023. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES