Hundreds of angry drivers gathered in the centre of Orpington in the south of London this afternoon, to protest the incoming Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) charge coming into force on 29th August.
Meeting on the A232 near the War Memorial in the heart of Orpington to raise their concerns about the scheme, which is due to expand to the Kent border in a few months' time.
Councillor Will Rowlands, the Chairman of the Environment Committee for Bromley Council was one of the many in attendance.
He said: “I own my own gardening business, I’ve just had to fork out nearly £30,000 for a new van that is Ulez compliant. In a cost-of-living crisis, adding extra cash bills onto people that are already inflated outgoings - it’s totally unnecessary and it’s totally brutal in all honesty."
The protesters gathered in Orpington in south London
GB News
Paula from Essex travelled to join those protestors in Orpington today, she says it’s amazing how people made the effort to come today.
She added: “It’s affecting everybody, it’s hit a lot of people financially and emotionally. I just think it’s brilliant that everyone has come out. We are getting the word out slowly and I think people are now realising that it’s getting closer.”
Also at the protest was Martin from Tooting, who came with his family in solidarity. He said: “I think it’s great support, I think it’s going to get more and more support as time goes on. For me this is about the future, it’s as though Khan is saying it’s ok to cause pollution if you pay for it - well that doesn’t work. There are people on the breadline day to day that don’t know where the next meal is coming from. He’s getting people to get rid of their car, they’re not going to be able to get to work it’s just ridiculous."
Currently, the daily charge operates from midnight to midnight. Since its introduction in April 2019, it’s been met with criticism as it charges £12.50 a day if your vehicle doesn’t meet the standards.
Khan has continued with his Ulez expansion plans despite vocal criticism
PAAccording to the Greater London Authority, every year air pollution causes ‘thousands of Londoners to die prematurely and develop life-changing illnesses like cancer, lung disease, dementia and asthma.’
They argue that expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone across all London boroughs on 29 August 2023, brings "clean air to five million more people".
In addition, they say more than four out of five drivers in outer London won’t be affected. For those who are, the Mayor of London has launched a £110million scrappage scheme to help eligible Londoners get ready for the changes.
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes has criticised the scrapped scheme, saying that there needs to be consideration for those who work at night when public transport is greatly reduced in the outer boroughs.
He added, “We need more creativity from London’s Mayor and his team to help people out as the current scrappage scheme is akin to using a plughole to drain an Olympic-sized swimming pool – it’s simply not big enough for the scale of the job.”
He continued: “We believe he should consider introducing an additional one-year sunset period for certain key workers or a scheme where TfL partners with a leasing company to provide discounted, Ulez-compliant vehicles to smaller businesses or traders, enabling them to avoid daily charges while still reducing roadside emissions.”
ULEZ exemptions will also be in place until 2025 for community transport vehicles, and until 2027 for people receiving certain disability benefits and vehicles for people with disabilities.
