Beginning Monday, drivers of all diesel and petrol vehicles registered before the Euro 4 emissions standards were introduced will be subject to an extra daily fee for driving through central London during the workweek.

The fine, announced by London Mayor Sadiq Khan in February, is meant to work toward improving the air quality in one of the most polluted cities in all of Europe. The £10 (11.2-euro, $13.2) fine will be in addition to an existing daily congestion charge of £11.50.

"As mayor I am determined to take urgent action to help clean up London's lethal air," Khan said in a statement.

"The shameful scale of the public health crisis London faces, with thousands of premature deaths caused by air pollution, must be addressed," he added.

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