A number of London Boroughs have issued a joint statement condemning the proposed expansion of the ULEZ scheme. This is what they issued:
Bromley Council were particularly vociferous with comments that included this comment from Councillor Colin Smith: “The ‘scheme’ isn’t actually about air quality in the final analysis. The stealthy, unstated and cynical intention remains, under the guise of ULEZ, to erect a network of traffic cameras across the whole of the Capital which can then be used at the flick of a switch to introduce road price charging for all”.
Together with the other London Boroughs opposed to the expansion they are considering a legal challenge and have issued a pre-action protocol letter. See https://www.bromley.gov.uk/news/article/440/lawfulness-questions-about-ulez-expansion for the full announcement.
The London Borough of Richmond has also come out against the ULEZ expansion and according to a report in the Daily Mail the borough of Sutton will refuse planning permission for ULEZ signs and other services such as electricity cables. They will not co-operate with TfL in any way.
Meanwhile central Government claims to have taken legal advice on blocking Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ expansion and deny they can do this. But they have two options: 1) Change the Greater London Authority Act 1999 which is alleged to authorise this, or threaten to do so; or 2) Withdraw any further funding to TfL, or threaten to do so. No more financial support would kill off any expenditure by TfL to install the cameras and other equipment for the expansion and put the Mayor into an impossible financial situation.
The Government ultimately has the power to change legislation that covers London and that includes the power to remove the Mayor if necessary! So they should stop hiding behind legal sophistry and take some action.
It is difficult to understand why the Government is not taking action on this. Are they hoping that if Sadiq Khan proceeds he will become so unpopular he will lose the election in 2024? But that is simply too late. We need less playing at politics and more immediate action!
Roger Lawson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London
It’s good to read that there is mounting opposition to the extended ULEZ charge, however I believe you paragraph as below contains an error regarding the year of next mayoral election? Should this read 2024 not 2014?
“Are they hoping that if Sadiq Khan proceeds he will become so unpopular he will lose the election in 2014? But that is simply too late. We need less playing at politics and more immediate action!”
Good point, I will correct the typo.
This needs to be stopped it’s not about emissions it’s about money