The Ulez will expand across Greater London on August 29
(Picture: Ross Lydall)Rishi Sunak has urged the Mayor of London to “properly reconsider” plans to expand the ultra low emission zone (Ulez) across the capital later this year.
The Ulez scheme is due to be expanded on August 29 under Sadiq Khan’s plans to tackle air pollution in the capital.
It will mean the drivers of older, more polluting cars will have to pay £12.50 a day to use their vehicles in outer London boroughs.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative MP David Simmonds said: “Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner has a great many car-dependent older and disabled constituents, many of who are horrified to read that the Mayor of London may have manipulated the outcome of his own consultation in order to impose an unwanted £12.50 daily charge every time they go for a medical appointment or attend hospital.
“Does he agree with me that any further rollout of the Ulez should be paused until these matters have been fully investigated?”
The Prime Minister replied: “It is disappointing that the Mayor, backed by the Leader of the Opposition, is choosing not to listen to the public, expanding the zone against the overwhelming views of residents and business.
“I urge the Mayor to properly reconsider and respond to these serious concerns.”
Hillingdon, Bexley and Bromley councils have also hit out at the scheme.
In a joint statement the boroughs said: “Until we have seen compelling evidence to the contrary, it remains our position that this scheme will not translate successfully to outer London and the negative impact to local households and economies will far outweigh the negligible air quality benefits.”
Sutton Council has said it will not install the Ulez cameras.
TfL commissioner Andy Lord has previous warned that blocking the cameras needed for the Ulez to operate is counter-productive.
He said it could turn boroughs without enforcement into “rat runs” for the most polluting vehicles.
“If boroughs refuse to engage and we get into a delay in one area, the risk is that those boroughs see increased traffic,” he added.
