Essex MP says he's still urging ministers to do "all they can" to stop ULEZ expansion
As it stands, the Ultra Low emissions Zone will encompass all London boroughs from August 29th onwards
Last updated 18th Jun 2023
An MP from Essex has told us that he's still urging ministers to do "all they can" to stop the planned expansion of the ULEZ zone.
As it stands, the Ultra Low emissions Zone will encompass all London boroughs from August 29th onwards.
Stephen Metcalfe- who represents South Basildon and East Thurrock- fears those in South Essex will soon be hit by a daily charge of £12.50 because of this.
"You will have to make that choice. It just seems deeply unfair"
"If you are a business based in Essex you don't get access to any support funds that the Mayor is offering to those in London.
"So you will either have to dig deep into your pockets and get a vehicle that's compliant or pay the charge, or you'll have to turn down business and choose not to go into London.
"It's not Westminster and the City of London that we are talking about here. I'm talking about crossing from Brentwood into Upminster.
"If you are an individual who has family and friends in London, you will have to decide whether you can afford to go see and care for them.
"If you are attending a funeral and there's an additional charge to go - you will have to make that choice. It just seems deeply unfair".
"It will have a significant impact on small businesses"
"Myself and colleagues continue to put pressure on minister here in Westminster to use all the powers they have to stop this.
"It will have a significant impact on small businesses, those who are elderly or more financially challenged- who just can't afford to change their vehicle to a ULEZ compliant one.
"Of course we want clean air- but we don't think that's where the main problem is. We don't think it's out in the suburbs of London bordering the home counties.
"I can understand the rationale behind it for a charge in Central London where it is very busy. But attacking people to be able to go about their daily lives on the borders of London just seems ridiculous".
What has the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TFL) said?
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
“Expanding the ULEZ London-wide has not been an easy decision. The easy thing for me would have been to kick the can down the road. But in the end, public health comes before political expediency.
"We have too often seen measures delayed around the world to tackle air pollution and the climate crisis because it’s viewed as being too hard or politically inconvenient. But there’s no time to waste when people’s lives are on the line and we are facing a climate crisis.
"As mayor, I’m not willing to turn a blind eye because it’s clear the cost of inaction – to our economy, to livelihoods, to the environment and the health of Londoners – would be a far too high a price to pay.
"Expanding ULEZ is the right choice for our city and something that I know will help us to continue building a better, greener, fairer and healthier London for everyone.”
"Will see millions more breathing cleaner air"
Alex Williams, TfL’s Chief Customer and Strategy Officer:
"Expanding the ULEZ is vital for public health in this city. We know that there are more deaths that are attributed to toxic air in the city’s outer boroughs and that bringing in these world leading standards over a larger area will see millions more breathing cleaner air.
"Our experience of these schemes shows that they work, with significant reductions in pollution since the first zone was introduced in 2019.