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SADIQ KHAN WINS ULEZ HIGH COURT BATTLE BUT OPPONENTS VOW TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT
Sadiq Khan’s plan to expand the controversial ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) across London looks set to go ahead next month after a legal challenge to halt the scheme failed in the High Court. The Telegraph reports that in a ruling on Friday 28 July, Mr Justice Swift said three claims made by five
Conservative-led councils
challenging the extension had failed. The London mayor said he intended to press ahead with extending the road charging scheme after the judgment was handed down. Mr Khan’s expansion was being contested on the grounds of the lawfulness of the consultation, whether he had the necessary powers to implement it as well as concerns over a planned scrappage scheme. But all three challenges were dismissed meaning drivers in outer London could pay a £12.50 daily fee from August 29 if their vehicles do not meet the required emissions standards. Giving a summary of his ruling, Mr Justice Swift said: “I am satisfied that the mayor’s decision to expand the ULEZ area
by
amendment of the present road charging scheme, rather than by making an entirely new ... scheme, was within his powers.” The judge added that, having “carefully considered” the consultation process, he was satisfied that enough information was given for people who wished to respond to provide “informed responses”.
He also said the consultation on 26
breathe cleaner air. “I’ve been listening to Londoners throughout the ULEZ rollout, which is why from next week I am expanding the scrappage scheme to nearly a million families who receive child benefit and all small businesses with up to 50 employees. I will continue to look at new ideas to
support
Londoners.” In a joint statement released by all five
the scrappage scheme was “not in depth”, but was “lawful”. The councils - Hillingdon, Bromley, Bexley, Harrow and Surrey County Council - were successful in their application for a judicial review against the planned expansion in April. Following the ruling, Mr Khan said the ULEZ scheme will be expanded as planned following the decision. He said: “This landmark decision is good news as it means we can proceed with cleaning up the air in outer London on 29 August. “The decision to expand the ULEZ was very
difficult and not
something I took lightly and I continue to do everything possible to
address any concerns
Londoners may have.” He continued: “The ULEZ has already reduced toxic nitrogen dioxide air pollution by nearly half in central London and a fifth in inner London. The coming expansion will see five million more Londoners being able to
Conservative council leaders, they echoed Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer by calling on Mr Khan to “further reflect” on his ULEZ plan and insisted their fight had not stopped. Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE, Leader of the London Borough of Bexley, said: “The judge may have said that the Mayor has the legal right to implement the scheme but, as we saw last week, there is also a moral judgment to consider. Even senior supporters of the Mayor have voiced their concerns around the expansion of this scheme.
Cllr Ian Edwards, Leader of Hillingdon Council, said: “Even the Mayor’s own supporters are now saying that it is the wrong time to be expanding this scheme. Many thousands of low-income earners, vulnerable people ordinary workers and small businesses who are the beating heart of our borough will have to shoulder further costs which they cannot afford.
AUGUST 2023 PHTM
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