London Daily

Focus on the big picture.

London suburbs in revolt over Ulez expansion

London suburbs in revolt over Ulez expansion

Bromley joins other Tory-run councils Bexley, Harrow and Hillingdon to ‘examine the legal basis’ of the plan

Sadiq Khan is facing a legal fight over the expansion of the Ultra Low Admission Zone as London’s “donut boroughs” revolted against the plan.

The Mayor’s flagship policy to clean up toxic air is being challenged by the ring of councils surrounding the capital and due to be added to the zone from August 29.

Under the scheme drivers of older or more polluting cars will have to pay £12.50 a day to use their vehicles.

But Bromley council leader Colin Smith said his borough had teamed up with other Tory-run councils Bexley, Harrow and Hillingdon to “examine the legal basis” of the plan.

They were looking at how best to serve the Mayor’s office with an official letter “seeking further information to demonstrate the lawfulness of the decision”.

Harrow, Hillingdon, Croydon, Sutton, Bromley, Bexley, Havering and Kingston have all expressed they are willing to fight City Hall over the Ulez.

City Hall immediately hit back, insisting the Mayor is “committed to doing all he can to build a greener, safer London for everyone.”

Air supply: The Ulez will expand across Greater London on August 29, 2023

Mr Khan said he was “confident” the expansion would proceed on August 29.

He said it was a “critical step” in tackling the “triple challenges” of air pollution, climate change and congestion.

“We cannot delay. Londoners’ lives depend on urgent action to clean up the air,” he told Mayor’s Question Time.

Expanding the scheme to the suburbs requires installing 2,750 enforcement cameras that read number plates to check non-compliant vehicles.

Sutton and Harrow, this week confirmed they will refuse to sign the “section 8” agreements to allow TfL to install the cameras on roads under council control, which could delay the rollout.

Others are pushing for more time to allow all residents to upgrade their cars to be compliant, arguing outer boroughs have better air quality than some central London areas added to the Ulez in 2019.

Mr Khan has doubled down on his ambition to install cameras even if authorities oppose it. Conservative GLA member Nick Rogers asked the mayor during Question Time: “Would TfL use reserve powers and enforce ULEZ infrastructure onto borough roads against their will?” Mr Khan responded: “TfL will explore all avenues open to them. I do not want to be taken into hypotheticals. TfL is speaking to all boroughs and I hope that leads to a resolution.”

Kingston and Surbiton MP Sir Ed Davey said: “Pushing through Ulez without a proper car scrappage scheme or investment in public transport is frankly reckless, especially in the middle of a cost of living crisis.

“I’m particularly worried about people who are strapped for cash already and many elderly and vulnerable people who will find it very difficult to switch cars.

“The case for a delay to sort out such problems is overwhelming.”

The Mayor is providing £110m in funding for a new scrappage scheme for Londoners on certain means-tested benefits, disability benefits as well as registered micro-businesses, sole traders and charities.

Independent-run Havering council said it was working with other boroughs on challenging the scheme.

Leader Ray Morgon said: “We have had meetings with TfL [and] are currently in contact with other London councils who oppose the Ulez expansion to understand specifically how they intend to block or challenge the Mayor’s decision, along with carrying out our own research.”

Mayor of Croydon Jason Perry said City Hall’s Integrated Impact Assessment “concludes that the air quality improvements in Croydon from extending Ulez are very small”.

“The Council have submitted a detailed response to the TfL consultation making the case against expansion,” he added.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak yesterday urged the Mayor to “properly reconsider” the plans in response to a question from Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner MP David Simmonds .

Labour-run town halls in the capital’s suburbs have been more enthusiastic about the scheme.

But several Tory parliamentary seats in the areas impacted, including Chipping Barnet, Finchley and Boris Johnson’s seat in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, are key Labour targets at the next election.

Sources told the Standard that Mr Khan will likely come under pressure from MPs and candidates over the expansion before the next general election.

Labour-run Enfield council refused to comment, but admitted it had signed the Section 8 agreement authorising TfL to work on its road network.

Waltham Forest deputy leader Clyde Loakes said the town hall had “long argued that the Ulez should encompass all of London”.

Chair of Barnet Council’s environment and climate change committee Alan Schneiderman, said: “Poor air quality is a major threat to public health.

“The Mayor’s decision to extend the Ulez London-wide will help to combat this.”

Conservatives in City Hall have accused Mr Khan of providing “false and misleading” information over the expansion plans.

They allege City Hall officials tried to “manipulate” the consultation process to show residents were more in favour of the Ulez than they actually were.

City Hall said the suggestion is “simply untrue”.

Asked at Mayor’s Question Time whether TfL would use its “reserve powers” to impose cameras on the boroughs, Mr Khan said: “TfL will explore all avenues open to them. TfL is speaking to all boroughs and I’m hoping it will lead to a resolution.”

He said Bromley had the highest number of premature deaths from the consequences of air pollution – 204 – followed by 162 in Bexley, 105 in Hillingdon and 118 in Harrow.

A spokesman for the Mayor added: “Around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely each year due to the toxic air in our city with the greatest number of deaths attributable to air pollution in London’s outer boroughs.

“The Mayor is committed to doing all he can to build a greener, safer London for everyone.

“He has listened to Londoners throughout this process, which is why he’s announced the biggest scrappage scheme yet.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

London Daily
0:00
0:00
Close
UK Maintains Non-negotiable Stance on Falklands and Gibraltar
Controversy Surrounds A75 Road Closures and 96-Mile Diversion
Crunch Time in Conservative Leadership Race
Keir Starmer's Challenges in the Wake of Sue Gray's Departure
Coroner Urges UK Government to Improve Severe ME Care
Starmer Calls for De-escalation in Middle East Amid Heightened Tensions
Chancellor Reeves Decides Against Pension Tax Hike
UK Advocates Urge Tobacco Windfall Tax and Permanent Levy
Starmer's Chief of Staff Plans Major Overhaul at Downing Street
Key Labour Thinktank Advocates New Powers for Mayors
Rachel Reeves Considers New Fiscal Rules for Infrastructure Spending
Great Britain Faces Lowest Winter Blackout Risk in Four Years
The Impact of Online Culture on Young Women: Survey Insights
Hypersonic Jet to Revolutionize Air Travel
Russian Medic Arrested for Alleged Satanism and Promoting LGBTQ Rights
UK: Chagos Islands Deal Was About Securing US Military Base
RT has converted key archive speeches delivered by Putin into spoken English using the help of AI
Walmart is now selling a new book titled The Achievements of Kamala Harris—and all the pages are blank.
Bill Gates: "6% of global emissions are cows... You can either fix the cows to stop them farting, or you can make beef without the cow."
Facilitated Communication: Miracle Tool or Manipulative Method?
The Allure of Browsing Online Property Portals: A Modern Obsession
Suspected Acid Attacker in London Bailed Amid Investigation
Tragic Channel Crossing: Four Migrants Killed
Labour Cabinet Ministers' Stances on Assisted Dying
The Influence of Tory Members on Party Leadership
UK Plans Major Overhaul of Employment Rights
UK Food Industry Lobbying Delays £1.7 Billion Plastic Packaging Tax
New UK Tipping Law Sparks Confusion Among Restaurant Staff
Debate Heats Up Over Assisted Dying Legislation in the UK
New Personalized Cancer Therapies Undergo Extensive Clinical Study
UAE Energy Minister: OPEC+ Doing a 'Noble' Job in Balancing Oil Market
Call for Wealth Tax Hikes to Curb Reform UK's Rise
Labour MP Supports Chancellor's Rejection of Wealth Tax
Debate Intensifies Over VAT Introduction for UK Private Schools
Israel Plans Retaliation Against Iran Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Norwegian Police Conclude 'Spy Whale' Hvaldimir's Death Due to Infection
Dominica Sells Citizenship to Boost Climate Resilience
Greta Thunberg Detained in Brussels During Protest Against Fossil Fuel Subsidies
UK Returns Chagos Islands to Mauritius After Decades-Long Dispute
UK Reaffirms Commitment to Overseas Territories Amid Falkland Islands Dispute
France's Silent March Supports Gisèle Pelicot: A Shocking Case
Robert Jenrick's Leadership Prospects: Challenges from the Right
Declining Interest in Grammar Schools Amid VAT Concerns
Emirates Bans Pagers and Walkie-Talkies on All Flights
Malaysian Father Burns Son's Motorbike to Prevent Racing Accidents
Donald Trump Urges Israel to Hit Iran's Nuclear Facilities First
Private Schools Face Enrollment Decline Due to Impending VAT on Fees
Wetherspoon’s CEO Criticizes Smaller Beer Glass Proposal and Licensing Hour Reduction
Starmer Defends UK Chagos Islands Decision Amidst Tory Criticism
Naomi Campbell Banned from Charity Work After Fashion for Relief Mismanagement
×