..CAZ
CRISIS...CAZ CRISIS... LONDON SUBURBS ARE IN REVOLT
OVER SADIQ KHAN’S ULEZ EXPANSION PLANS
Sadiq Khan is facing a legal fight over the expansion of the ULEZ as London’s “donut boroughs” revolt 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. The Mayor announced last November that the ULEZ would be extended to incorporate the whole of the capital from August 29 this year. From that date, any vehicle that is not compliant will be liable for the daily £12.50 fee, with some exemptions. A spokesperson for the mayor said the extension was “not an easy decision”, but that it was a “necessary one to reduce the capital’s toxic air pollution, tackle the climate emergency and cut congestion in our city”. Towards the end of last year, four Conservative-led boroughs due to come under the scheme, Hillingdon, Harrow, Bexley and Croydon, submitted a letter announcing their opposition to the extension. Bromley has joined the other Tory-run councils to ‘examine the legal basis’ of the plan looking at how best to serve the Mayor’s office with an official letter “seeking further infor- mation to
demonstrate the
lawfulness of the decision”. Kingston has also stated that it is willing to join the fight against City Hall over the ULEZ. Expanding the scheme to the suburbs requires installing 2,750 enforcement cameras that read number plates to check non-
PHTM FEBRUARY 2023
of a cost of living crisis. “I’m particularly worried about people who are strapped for cash already who will find it very difficult to switch cars. The case for a delay to sort out such problems is over-whelming.” The Mayor is providing £110m in funding for a new scrappage scheme for Londoners on certain means-tested benefits, disability benefits as well as
compliant vehicles. Sutton and Harrow have confirmed they will refuse to sign the “section 8” agreements to allow TfL to install cameras on their roads, 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. However, 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 it. 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
registered micro-businesses, sole traders and charities. Meanwhile, 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 which 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 has submitted a detailed response to the TfL consultation making the case against expansion,” he added. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has 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 have been more about the scheme.
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