Ulez expansion failing with 'no significant change' to number of non-compliant cars parking in zone
The Ulez expansion was launched on August 29 despite protests from drivers
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The Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion appears to be having little impact on the number of non-compliant petrol and diesel vehicles parking inside the zone.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan expanded the are of the Ulez scheme to include Greater London in August, in an attempt to bring down emission from vehicles.
The move to expand the zone was met with harsh and widespread criticism from drivers and politicians, who said it would have a major impact on motorists in and around London.
Drivers of non-compliant petrol and diesel vehicles are charged £12.50 every day to drive inside the zone, with around 700,000 new drivers included in the expansion and potentially facing the fee.
WATCH NOW: GB News speaks to a Ulez vigilante
New data has suggested that the expansion has done little to affect the parking habits of those with non-compliant vehicles.
Brannan Coady, CEO of YourParkingSpace, said the research showed that the expansion was not as effective as Sadiq Khan had hoped.
He said: “Since the ULEZ expansion, we've been closely monitoring the parking habits of our users based in and around London.
“Since its recent expansion, we haven't seen any significant change in the number of cars being parked in London or close to the boundary, despite there being around 200,000 non-compliant vehicles estimated in London.
“We plan to continue tracking our data over the coming months to get a better understanding of its impact.”
It could be suggested that drivers are essentially ignoring the fines as a result of the cost of train travel.
Some motorists may accept the £15 fine to park closer to their place of work rather than parking at a train station and entering London that way.
Research will continue to be monitored to highlight whether the daily threat of an expensive charge will deter motorists from parking inside the capital.
The so-called “blade-runners” have damaged or stolen hundreds of Ulez cameras around the capital in a protest against the expansion.
The vigilantes have gained thousands of supporters in recent weeks after taking aim at the cameras, with one furious driver even cutting a set of traffic lights in half.
The Met Police has reported that hundreds of cameras have been targeted by vandals, with two people being arrested for the crimes.
Speaking at an event in New York earlier this week, Sadiq Khan described the Ulez as the “best ever two-for-one offer” in terms of tackling air pollution and climate change.
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Drivers have been targeting Ulez cameras to protest against the expansion
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He said: “Nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and carbon emissions. If you deal with one, you deal with the other.”