ULEZ enlargement: London mayor pleads with councils to ‘put politics apart’ – as cameras vandalised

Aug 16, 2023 at 10:58 PM
ULEZ enlargement: London mayor pleads with councils to ‘put politics apart’ – as cameras vandalised

London mayor Sadiq Khan has pleaded with three councils to “put their politics aside” and permit the set up of warning indicators forward of the enlargement of the ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) in lower than two weeks.

From 29 August, the ULEZ shall be expanded to the outer boroughs of London, which means non-compliant autos shall be charged a £12.50 each day charge from that date.

However, the London mayor is worried that some county councils have failed to permit Transport for London (TfL) to place up indicators warning drivers they’re coming into the zone, which could lead on some to enter it by mistake.

His spokesperson urged Surrey, Kent and Hertfordshire county councils to “do what’s best for their residents and drivers” and permit the indicators to be put in.

London's Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) is to be expanded in August
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The new boundary of London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) from 29 August

The mayor’s spokesperson stated: “Councils have a duty to make sure their residents and all motorists are conscious of vital adjustments which will influence drivers.

“By refusing to allow TfL to install ULEZ warning signs at key junctions, these councils outside London are not fulfilling their responsibility to ensure their residents and other motorists have all the information they need to avoid driving into the ULEZ inadvertently.

“The mayor is urging these three county councils to place their politics apart and do what’s finest for his or her residents and drivers.”

City Hall stated TfL has provided to pay the complete value of putting in and sustaining indicators.

A ULEZ sign at Tower Hill in central London. File photo
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Three councils have refused to permit Transport for London to put in ULEZ indicators forward of the zone’s enlargement

However, there may be widespread anger on the enlargement of the ULEZ, and among the new indicators and cameras have been vandalised forward of the beginning of the expanded scheme.

Spokespeople for Kent and Surrey county councils have stated that they won’t permit any signage to be put in till there may be “mitigation” in place for native residents.

While Londoners can apply for a grant of as much as £2,000 to interchange a non-compliant car, no such scrappage scheme is in place for individuals who reside exterior the capital.

People demonstrate outside the High Court, central London, where five Conservative-led councils are challenging Mayor of London Sadiq Khan's intention to expand London's ultra low emission zone (Ulez). The outer-London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon along with Surrey County Council launched legal action in February over the proposed extension of Ulez beyond the North and South Circular roads. Picture date: Tuesday July 4, 2023.
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Protests have taken place in opposition to the ULEZ enlargement

Matt Furniss, cupboard member for transport at Surrey County Council, stated though the mayor’s decision last month to expand the scrappage scheme “looks to be a step in the right direction”, it’s going to have “no impact on those outside of London.”

A spokesperson for Kent County Council stated: “We fully understand and appreciate our obligations as a highways authority, and the safety of road users is always our priority.

“We stand by our resolution to not undertake ULEZ signage for so long as there isn’t a mitigation to minimise the influence of the enlargement of the scheme on Kent residents.”

And Hertfordshire County Council told the BBC: “No quantity of signage will change the truth that our residents and companies face a £12.50 penalty for travelling into the capital.”

In July, the High Court dominated that the expansion of the ULEZ is legal after 5 Conservative-run councils introduced a authorized problem – which included Surrey County Council.