Havering politicians condemn plans to expand ULEZ across London

MP Andrew Rosindell and Cllr Damian White want more investment in public transport before the expansion 

Havering politicians have spoken out against the Mayor of London’s plans to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone. 

Sadiq Khan is looking to widen the ULEZ to cover the entire city by the end of 2023. Drivers who enter the zone in a vehicle that does not meet minimum emissions standards are charged £12.50 a day. 

Khan said the expansion will help tackle air pollution, climate change and congestion during a speech in Lewisham last week. 

Romford MP Andrew Rosindell is against the plans as they would “significantly impact low-income families in Romford who rely on their car”. 

“As we are seeing the cost of living soar, he decides to hit the commuter in the pocket,” said Rosindell.

“The Mayor of London wants to introduce a boundary charge which would get visitors to London to pay an additional tax based on the emissions of their vehicle, which will cripple the already severely wounded tourism sector in our city.

“The Mayor uses the guise of air quality but his new electric (net zero) buses will be delayed by at least three years until the late 2030s (estimated now to be 2037).

“Sadiq Khan talks a lot about pollution and air quality but if he was really serious he would do something to sort out the pollution in the River Thames, this just amplifies how this is all a show while he really targets car drivers.”

The leader of Havering Council, Damian White, will not support the expansion until more money is invested into public transport in the borough. 

“Obviously, as a Council, we wish to improve air quality in London, but this smacks as a way of raising money for a cash-strapped TFL,” he added. 

“Secondly this penalises boroughs such as Havering, which has low public transport investment with a lack of decent TFL busses and routes.

“The only way to get from north to south in the borough is by car. Therefore, this would make travel much more expensive for residents who are already hard pressed by rising costs.

“Until some of these problems are resolved, we will not be supporting this proposed increase.”

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