Sadiq Khan has been urged to consider delaying the expansion of the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) across Greater London due to the cost of living crisis and lack of funds for a scrappage scheme.
The mayor wants to expand the Ulez for a second time, taking it from the North and South Circular roads across all 33 boroughs – drawing an extra 3.5m Londoners into the zone – on August 29 next year.
Transport for London says this should result in 146,000 fewer car trips a day, reducing toxic exhaust emissions.
But concerns have emerged at the lack of financial help for low-income Londoners wanting to replace or scrap cars and vans that would be liable for the £12.50-a-day levy.
Caroline Pidgeon, a Lib-Dem member of the London Assembly, told an inquiry into the Ulez expansion that a public had been asked for their views without knowing whether there would be help to avoid the charge.
She said incentives should be offered to encourage Londoners to ditch their car and join a car club, hire a bike or use public transport.
Mr Khan has asked for Government help to fund a £180m scrappage scheme but none has been forthcoming. Ms Pidgeon said yesterday/Tuesday: “Should the consultation be going ahead with that vital bit of information missing?”
More than 35,000 people have responded to the consultation, which closes on July 29.
Alex Williams, TfL’s director of city planning, who is in charge of the Ulez expansion, said: “I think that is something for the mayor to consider when he looks at all of the consultation responses.
“On the one hand, you have got this health emergency – 4,000 premature deaths a year. He’s got a moral imperative to do something about that.
“But then you have also got the cost of living crisis and the [lack of] availability of [new] vehicles and [a lack of detail on the scrappage scheme]. I just think you have to look at these issues in the round. It’s a potentially difficult decision.”
On Tuesday, the Standard revealed it will cost almost £200m to expand the zone. TfL’s current Government bailout – extended by 19 days last month - runs out on Wednesday. It is seeking £900m in day-to-day funding for the remainder of 2022/23 plus a long-term capital deal for road and bridge repairs and new Tube and bus infrastructure.
Talks were continuing between TfL and the Department for Transport on Wednesday but another “sticking plaster” arrangement – likely to last only several more weeks – could be the most likely outcome.
A City Hall funded £61m scrappage scheme for last October’s expansion to the A406 and A205 was three times oversubscribed, meaning almost 30,000 Londoners missed out.
Sian Berry, a Green member of the London Assembly, told the Standard: “There is clearly a huge unmet demand across London for help to shift journeys away from cars, with many Londoners still feeling forced into car ownership.
“It is the mayor and Government’s duty to Londoners to offer them something bigger and better for a new scrappage scheme.”
