Legal Action Launched: Conservative-led Councils Challenge ULEZ Expansion
A judicial review regarding London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s proposed expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London has commenced at the High Court. Five councils led by the Conservative party – Bexley, Bromley, Harrow, Hillingdon, and Surrey – have initiated legal action against the scheme, arguing that it would impose a significant financial burden on motorists.
Tackling Air Pollution: Mayor Defends ULEZ Expansion
Mayor Sadiq Khan, a member of the Labour party, asserts that the ULEZ expansion is crucial to combatting air pollution. He points to an independent assessment confirming the effectiveness of the ULEZ and claims that expanding it will result in five million Londoners breathing cleaner air. Despite acknowledging that it is impossible to please everyone, he remains steadfast in his commitment to the scheme.
ULEZ Scheme Details: Charges and Compliance
Under the ULEZ scheme, drivers of non-compliant or highly polluting vehicles are required to pay a daily charge of £12.50 for driving within inner London. Failure to pay can result in a fine of £160. The majority of cars driven in London already comply with ULEZ standards. The current zone encompasses the area between the North and South circular roads, but Mayor Khan announced its expansion to cover the entire capital starting from 29 August.
Concerns for the Poorest Motorists: Impact on Harrow Council
Harrow Council’s Conservative leader, Paul Osborn, expressed concerns about the devastating consequences the expansion would have on the least affluent motorists in Harrow. He highlighted the challenges faced by low-income workers with limited public transport alternatives, who would be burdened with a daily payment of £12.50 for commuting to work. Osborn also criticized the allocation of resources to surveillance cameras, suggesting that funds would be better spent on expanding the scrappage scheme.
Grounds for Judicial Review: Flawed Consultation and Exclusion
Initially, the five outer-London councils identified five grounds for the judicial review, of which three were deemed admissible by the High Court. The grounds include the claim that the expansion is excessively large and should be treated as a new scheme, allegations of flawed consultation lacking crucial information, and failure to consider the inclusion of bordering areas in the £110 million scrappage scheme. The judicial review aims to address these concerns, which impact eligibility for grants ranging from £1,000 to £5,000 for scrapping non-compliant vehicles.
While the legal challenge unfolds, the controversy surrounding the ULEZ scheme persists, pitting proponents of cleaner air against those who argue against additional economic burdens. The hearing before Mr. Justice Swift has commenced, with his ruling expected to be delivered at a later date.
SOURCE: Ref Image from the Independent
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