MP: Give ministers energy to overturn controversial London transport plans
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roposals to permit ministers to overview and overturn “controversial” transport schemes launched by the mayor of London will probably be raised in Parliament on Wednesday.
Conservative former cupboard minister Theresa Villiers stated the Government ought to have the ability to intervene when there are “very serious concerns” about choices relating to move and air high quality.
Labour mayor Sadiq Khan’s intention to develop London’s extremely low emission zone (Ulez) has come below hearth with a High Court choose final month deciding 5 Conservative-led councils might problem the plan.
If it goes forward, the enlargement will see drivers in outer London pay a £12.50 every day payment from August 29 if their autos don’t meet required emissions requirements.
The new borders will attain Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.
Where there are very severe issues concerning the resolution by the Mayor of London I believe it is respectable for my constituents to need the Government to step in and ask that the mayor does one thing completely different
Mr Khan’s group says he’s responding to a “health emergency” by taking motion to sort out “toxic air” within the capital.
Ms Villiers, who represents Chipping Barnet, stated her proposals might apply to different initiatives together with low visitors neighbourhoods and strikes to construct on station automotive parks.
She will search to introduce the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (Amendment) Bill within the Commons by way of the 10-minute rule movement process, though it’s unlikely to turn into regulation in its present type.
Ms Villiers informed the PA news company: “A key theme is the unhappiness, especially with Ulez but also with a number of the other controversial transport schemes the mayor has introduced.
“A lot of my constituents would like the Government to be able to step in and ask the mayor to think again.
“My Bill, in principle, would allow that to happen although you will appreciate this procedure is more about raising issues really than the promise of actual legislative change.
“The mayor of London’s decisions do have an impact on people living outside London as well.
“I’m sure some people will say you can’t interfere with the devolution settlement, but decisions on our capital city can have a massive impact on millions of people who commute in and out, as well as the UK’s economy as a whole.
“So I think there is a place for intervention by ministers. I’m not saying this should happen as a matter of routine. But where there are very serious concerns about the decision by the mayor of London I think it’s legitimate for my constituents to want the Government to step in and ask that the mayor does something different.
“With Ulez expansion, of course we all want to improve air quality in London, there is an air quality issue that needs to be addressed, but this is the wrong scheme at the wrong time.”
Ms Villiers stated the scheme may have a “very limited impact on cleaning up our air”, including: “And yet it will have a really tough impact on many people who are probably already struggling with rising prices and also on small businesses who may be dependent on vans and they simply can’t run a business using the public transport network.”