‘Out of contact’ Khan savaged as ULEZ fears power Londoners to flog their automobiles

Increasing numbers of Londoners are placing their automobiles up on the market simply days earlier than the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scheme is rolled out throughout the capital, new analysis has indicated.

And anti-ULEZ campaigner Howard Cox, who is about to problem London Mayor Sadiq Khan subsequent 12 months as Reform UK’s candidate, has launched a blistering assault on the “out of touch” Labour politician, claiming his “misinformed green fantasy” was set to “ruin lives”.

The survey, carried out by on-line used automotive market Motorway, means that, with simply 4 days earlier than ULEZ comes into power in all 32 boroughs, 18 % of Londoners – primarily based on a pattern of 1,000 – are planning to promote their autos.

In addition, 36 % are deeply involved concerning the influence the growth can have on their private funds, and greater than half – 52 % – won’t be able to pay the £12.50 price each time they drive within the zone.

Almost as many – 46 % – agreed that the cost-of-living disaster means they may not afford to change to an electrical automobile or compliant petrol automotive.

Nearly 1 / 4 of commuters who journey by automotive – 24 % – imagine their potential to journey to work will probably be inhibited by ULEZ.

Commenting, Mr Cox, an outspoken critic of the clear air scheme and the founding father of FairFuelUK, informed Express.co.uk: “If Sadiq Khan believes that £2,000 of tax payers’ hard earner dosh is a massive and generous incentive to dump a still perfectly good to use fully MOT’d vehicle, he is so out of touch with the cost of living reality that faces low income drivers.

“The Mayor is set to ruin lives, small businesses all for the sake of his misinformed green fantasy and to pay for his inept fiscal management of our once proud capital city. “

Nick Fletcher, the Tory MP for Don Valley who as a member of Parliament’s Petitions Committee introduced two anti-ULEZ petitions earlier this year, told Express.co.uk: “I have spoken before in Parliament of the dangers of socialist schemes.

“Ideology should never be put before the interests of the people. Yet socialists do this all the time.

“This expansion of ULEZ will mean scrapping perfectly usable vehicles, loss of freedom and huge expense.

“Yet the science shows it won’t make any difference.

“I stand for freedom not restrictions. This scheme was right for central London where it should remain. It’s wrong for Outer London and it’s wrong for Sheffield too.”

Alex Buttle, Motorway’s co-founder, said: “With London’s ULEZ expanding on August 29, car owners across Greater London are deciding if they need to sell.

“In the final days leading up to the expansion date, we are seeing car values changing, with the price of some compliant models going up due to demand.

“And while non-compliant cars could see a drop in value, much of the UK still sits outside of Clean Air Zones, so with the UK used car market as strong as it is, there will still be willing buyers for these non-compliant models.”

A spokeswoman for the Mayor of London stated: “The Mayor has always been clear that the decision to expand the ULEZ was a very difficult one.

“But he is not prepared to stand by while around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely each year due to air pollution and thousands of people in our city are developing life-changing illnesses, such as cancer, lung disease, dementia and asthma.

“Nine out of ten cars seen driving in outer London on an average day are already ULEZ compliant and their drivers will not have to pay the charge.

“The Mayor’s scrappage scheme initially focused on providing support to those who needed it most, prioritising low-income and disabled Londoners.”

They continued: “Now that Londoners most in need have had the opportunity to access the scheme early, the scheme has been expanded so that every Londoner with a non-compliant car – who has not yet been able to transition to a greener vehicle – is also eligible for the same £2,000 grant. 

“With under a week to go till the ULEZ expansion, the Mayor is urging people to apply for the scheme – TfL are turning around applications as quickly as possible and the response times are good.”