A GRANDAD says he will be forced to pay £12.50 every time he uses his own drive when new rules come into place.
Paul Savage, 77, from Harrow, will have to fork out the money when the Mayor of London brings in the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
AlamyPaul Savage says he will have to pay the ULEZ charge every time he uses his drive (not shown)[/caption]
He labelled the new rules as “frustrating” adding he felt there was nothing locals could do to stop it.
Paul told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “As soon as I come out of my drive I’ll have to pay £12.50. I’m retired so I don’t need a car very often but I am going to have to get a smaller one.”
He added: “My daughters’ kids now have to go to school by public transport, normally my son-in-law would take them to school in the car but he’s not going to pay £12.50 every day. He’s told them that they’re going to have to get the bus.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced the expansion of the ULEZ zone to cover all of Greater London in November 2022 would go ahead.
It is due to come into effect on August 29 this year.
This means any driver of a petrol car registered before 2005 or a diesel car registered before 2015 will be subjected to a daily charge of £12.50 when on the road, if their vehicle is not compliant.
The Conservative-led Harrow Council has moved against the scheme, saying it will refuse to put up ULEZ cameras for Transport for London (TfL).
Harrow resident Eugene Maher branded the plans as “a load of c**p” even though his vehicle is compliant and won’t incur the cost.
He called the scheme “just an extra tax,” adding that people were already struggling after the Covid pandemic and the current cost of living crisis.
Harrow Council, in conjunction with those in Hillingdon, Bexley, and Bromley wrote to Mr Khan, saying they were “strongly opposed” to the plans and cited the “adverse effects” it would have on residents, visitors and businesses.
Harrow Council said it would not cooperate with TfL by putting cameras up in the borough.
Asked if he supported the council’s move, Paul said that he did adding the ULEZ expansion was a “tax on people who can’t afford it”.
Jakki Elliott said she was also “100 per cent” backing the council and thought other London councils should do the same.
Even though she would not be personally affected by the change, she explained why it would affect many residents.
She said: “The factors are so diverse. It’s going to be your finances, your car, it’s going to be where you live, your schools, the whole shebang. It’s quite extensive.”
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said the ULEZ expansion is “necessary” in order to reduce the capital’s air pollution, tackle the climate emergency, and cut congestion.
They said: “Around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely each year due to the toxic air in our city with the greatest number of deaths attributable to air pollution in London’s outer boroughs, which the ULEZ doesn’t currently cover.
“Children across London are growing up with stunted lungs and developing asthma because they are breathing this toxic air.
“TfL will work closely and collaboratively with all boroughs to ensure the infrastructure required will be installed in a way that is suitable so we can build a greener, safer London for everyone.”
Harrow Council leader, Cllr Paul Osborn, described the expansion plans as “outrageous”.
He said the borough’s residents were “overwhelmingly against the idea,” following a petition conducted by Harrow Conservatives.
GettyLondon’s expanded ULEZ charge will take effect on August 29, this year[/caption] Read More