Sadiq Khan refuses ruling out extra clear air schemes after ULEZ win
A bullish Sadiq Khan has refused to rule out extra clear air schemes being rolled out throughout London after his court docket victory to develop ULEZ.
The Mayor of London was given a inexperienced gentle on Friday after the High Court dominated his plans to extend the ULEZ zone to Greater London might go forward on August 29.
Five councils – all Conservative led – failed of their problem to cease ULEZ going past the North and South Circular roads to cowl the entire of the capital.
Off the again of his triumph in court docket, Mr Khan mentioned he “aims to carry on having polices” to deal with emissions and mentioned he hopes to carry energy “for the next nine years, at least”.
The Labour Mayor’s assured phrases may very well be at odds with MPs in his get together who worry the rationale they did not win the Conservative seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip in a by-election this month was due to voter anger on the inexperienced motoring levy.
Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer has to this point declined to say if London’s cost on polluting autos must be expanded, saying it was a matter for Mr Khan, who he mentioned had been requested to “reflect on” decreasing the influence of the scheme and financially hard-pressed residents.
Nationally voter assist for inexperienced insurance policies that cost motorists is believed to be falling throughout the cost-of-living disaster. Local councils have been barred by the Department for Transport from utilizing any of a £200million lively transport fund for brand new Lower Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs).
In London, these driving non-compliant autos (broadly pre-2005 petrol and pre-2015 diesel) face forking out the charge to journey in all town’s boroughs from the top of the summer season.
Asked if he might introduce extra measures to fight soiled air in London, MyLondon reports Mr Khan mentioned: “Look, what we know is that, roughly speaking, two thirds of the poison, air pollution comes from transport.
“We also know that the ultra low emission zone in Central London was remarkably successful – it caused a 50 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide, a further 21 percent reduction in Inner London.”
On whether or not there may very well be any extra schemes launched much like the ULEZ, the Mayor replied: “I intend to be Mayor for the next nine years at least, so let’s wait and see.”
The Conservative choose to tackle the Mr Khan throughout subsequent yr’s mayoral election, Susan Hall AM, mentioned: “While it is a shame the High Court did not find the ULEZ expansion to be unlawful, there is no denying that Sadiq Khan’s plans will have a devastating impact on families and businesses across the city.
“If I am elected Mayor, I will stop the ULEZ expansion on day one and set up a £50 million pollution hotspots fund to tackle the issue where it is, instead of taxing people where it isn’t.”