Hundreds of motorists fight back against Sadiq Khan with as they launch protest against ULEZ through London
- Protestors gathered in Trafalgar Square in central London at around 12am today
Hundreds of motorists have gathered in London to protest against Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ expansion scheme before it comes into force later this month.
Protestors gathered in Trafalgar Square in central London at around 12am today as part of the demonstration organised by the Action Against ULEZ Extension group to hit out at the London Mayor’s much hated plans.
People braved the wet weather as they lined the streets of the capital while holding signs calling for Khan to ‘stop the toxic air lie’ and urged him to step down as Mayor.
The ULEZ expansion will come into force in less than four weeks and will require Londoners to pay £12.50-a-day to drive in Greater London if their cars do not meet certain environmental standards.
Earlier this week Khan refused to ‘water down’ the ULEZ green tax expansion after he announced he was increasing grants for families to replace non-compliant older, larger cars with less polluting models to £2,000.
Hundreds of motorists have gathered in London to protest against Sadiq Khan ‘s ULEZ expansion scheme before it comes into force later this month
Protestors gathered in Trafalgar Square in central London at around 12am today to hit out at the London Mayor’s much hated plans
This map shows how the ULEZ area is due to be dramatically expanded from next month
Despite his efforts to make the scheme more feasible for drivers during the cost of living crisis, Khan was criticised by Tories including Health Minister Maria Caulfield, who warned it would do little to help with the cost of a replacement.
READ MORE: What is the ULEZ vehicle scrappage scheme and who is entitled to the grant?
The scheme is also only open to London residents, not to the thousands who travel into the capital every day for work.
However, speaking to LBC Mr Khan said that it was ‘nonsense’ to suggest a ULEZ-compliant car could not be bought for less than £2,000.
‘I am unwilling to delay, water down or step back from these really important measures that are going to save lives and protect lungs,’ he said.
Khan has vowed he would never ‘step back, delay or water down’ the much disputed motorist levy.
Insisting he will press ahead with imposing the policy after a High Court challenge from five local authorities failed last week, he said the scrappage scheme would help ‘make the transition to a greener city easier’ during the cost-of-living crisis.
People braved the wet weather as they lined the streets of the capital while holding signs calling for Khan to ‘stop the toxic air lie’ and for him to step down as Mayor
One protestor used their Land Rover Defender to get his message across about the ULEZ expansion scheme
A person wearing a Guy Fawkes mask holds a sign that reads ‘ULEZ will be stopped by your actions not your opinions’
But the Tory’s Conservative London Mayoral candidate Susan Hall attacked the Mayor for causing ‘financial ruin’ to thousands of people across the capital.
READ MORE: The true cost of Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ expansion for struggling families: How much Londoners will have to fork out to replace their cars – as MPs warn £2,000 offer doesn’t touch the sides
Every Londoner with a non-compliant vehicle is now entitled to a £2,000 grant to scrap or retrofit their vehicle, with the total scrappage scheme cost estimated to reach £160million.
Those who convert their non-compliant vans and minibuses to electric vehicles would be given £9,500 and £11,500 respectively – an extra £2,000.
Ms Hall, however, said: ‘This is too little, too late from Sadiq Khan, who is facing mounting pressure from Londoners and his own party.
‘Thousands of families, small businesses and charities face financial ruin because of Sadiq Khan’s Ulez expansion, which will do next to nothing to improve air quality.’
The expanded zone will encompass five million more people – in a move that will create a headache for at least 200,000 people who own non-compliant vehicles.
There has been widespread outcry at the London mayor’s plans to add to drivers’ bills during the cost-of-living crisis, which could cost some more than £3,000 a year.
This widely felt hatred was made apparant in the recent by-election in Uxbridge & South Ruislip which saw the Conservatives unexpectedly cling on to Boris Johnson’s old seat by less than 500 votes.
Labour leader Keir Starmer pinned the blame for Labour’s loss on ULEZ, while the Tories’ new Uxbridge MP Steve Tuckwell credited his victory to the unpopularity of the scheme as well.
The vote was widely seen as an effective referendum on the issue, and Sir Keir admitted it had forced him to seek talks with the London mayor, as he demanded Mr Khan ‘reflect’ on the levy following the result
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