Ulez expansion to hammer drivers with £12.50 charge to visit popular attractions

With the expanded area, non-compliant vehicles in Greater London will attract fines after Sadiq Khan’s expansion of the emissions-based charging zones.

Some of the most popular venues, stadiums and airports are included within the new Ulez zone, with motorists potentially facing hefty fines.

Any Britons looking to get away on holiday via Heathrow Airport will get hit with a daily charge if they drive a non-compliant car as the popular airport is on the western boundary of the Ulez.

However, if a driver is going on a long holiday, they will only be charged the daily fee if the car is being driven.

If the vehicle is stationary and parked at one of the car parks around the airport, motorists will not be charged.

Similarly, families looking for a fun day out at Chessington World of Adventures may have their day spoiled by paying the £12.50 charge.

The theme park is included on a “peninsula” for what’s included in the Ulez scheme, near Kingston Upon Thames, with some parts of Surrey also inside the boundary.

In 2022, when the expansion was first announced, it was warned that building projects at Chessington World of Adventures could become more expensive, as well as the fee for drivers.

Sports fans will also be heavily impacted by the expansion of the Ulez, with a number of popular stadiums included in the charging zone.

Wembley Stadium is now included in the area, with any England national team games and sporting finals likely to be impacted.

The Championships at Wimbledon attracts around 500,000 visitors every year, which could pose a headache for anyone driving a non-compliant petrol or diesel vehicle.

Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, Fulham’s Craven Cottage, Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park will also be included in the expansion.

Petrol cars that meet Ulez standards tend to be those first registered with the DVLA after 2005, although some cars manufactured in 2001 may also be eligible.

Diesel cars must comply with Euro 6 emissions standards, which are generally those first registered after September 2015.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Drivers issued urgent warning over Ulez scam websites conning Britons into paying daily charge
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• Majority of Britons oppose Ulez-style charges in their area with threat of daily £12.50 cost

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has claimed that the Ulez expansion will reduce carbon emissions in outer London by a further 27,000 tonnes.