A Low Emission Bus Zone (LEBZ) has been welcomed as “radical and urgent action” to tackle air pollution.

The new zone operates between Edmonton and Seven Sisters and is one of 10 across the capital with two more due to be launched later this year.

Under the initiative, only buses which meet the cleanest emissions standards are allowed to operate. These are made up of both new and adapted vehicles.

Joanne McCartney, London Assembly Member for Enfield and Haringey, welcomed the introduction of the zone.

Ms McCartney said: “Our capital is facing an air quality crisis, so it is very positive to see the Mayor take radical and urgent action to tackle air pollution locally, by implementing this new Low Emission Bus Zone.

“Coming just weeks after the introduction of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone in Central London, this move to clean up our bus fleet marks a significant step forward in achieving the aim of bringing London’s air quality within legal levels in the next six years.”

The zone between Edmonton is one of three new zones launched today – the other two are in Lewisham and Stratford.

This takes the total number of clean buses introduced as a result of the zone to more than 3,000.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “London is facing an air quality emergency, with pollution from vehicles, including buses, responsible for over half the harmful emissions we breathe.

“Our existing Low Emission Bus Zones have dramatically reduced pollution and improved the health of thousands of Londoners who live or work along the routes – I’m delighted we can now bring the benefits to Lewisham, Stratford and Edmonton.

“These zones complement the introduction of the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London earlier this month.”

London now has Europe’s largest zero emission bus fleet, with 68 new electric double deck buses set to be in place by summer 2019.

Transport for London (TfL) is now only buying zero emission or hybrid double deck buses, as well as retrofitting older buses in a bid to reduce harmful emissions by 90 per cent.

The entire London bus fleet aims to be zero emission by 2037.