Dartford MP Gareth Johnson will attempt to overturn the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) into Greater London when he presents his Private Members Bill in Parliament today [06 December 2023].
While multiple reports suggest that London’s air quality has drastically improved since the ULEZ was first introduced, the scheme’s expansion into Greater London from 29 August has been met with both support and public outcry, with a number of local councils bringing forth legal challenges to the proposal.
After the latest challenge to the expansion was thrown out of the High Court, Gareth Johnson has announced his intention to fight the bill in Parliament.
Johnson said: “This expansion is taxation without accountability and punishes those on lower incomes who can least afford to buy a newer car to avoid the daily charge.
“There are also no guarantees the standard for meeting the ULEZ threshold will not be changed in the future to include more vehicles.
“My proposed bill is to overturn the ULEZ expansion and ensure the London mayor cannot impose this unfair tax on the people of Dartford and beyond.”
READ MORE: London air pollution: expanding the ULEZ is good but it won’t work by itself
Campaign group FairFuelUK has announced its support of the bill. Founder and London mayoral candidate for Reform UK, Howard Cox, said: “I am fully in support of Dartford MP Gareth Johnson’s parliamentary attempt to scrap London’s pure cash grabbing ULEZ extension.
“Mayor Khan’s fixation with an alleged air-quality improvement scheme not only needlessly fleeces drivers, sole traders, and low-income motorists, it also rips at least £500m out of the UK capital’s economy every year.”
Achievements and innovations in clean air and road user charging will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations officially open in March 2024. Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
