ULEZ slammed as ‘money-making scam’ in calls to delay London expansion

London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is due to be expanded from the inner city to encompass all boroughs on August 29, but the move is not welcome by Express.co.uk readers with 96 percent calling for it to be delayed.

The change means that motorists driving non-compliant vehicles in the capital – including diesel vehicles registered before September 2016 and petrol vehicles registered before January 2006 – will be subject to a daily £12.50 charge.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan was heckled over his ULEZ expansion plans while he was questioned by watchdogs over his justification for the scheme.

Mr Khan explained at LBC’s State of London debate on Thursday: “Clean air should not be a privilege for those who live in central London, it should be a human right for everyone in London.”

Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson has warned that the environmental benefits will put a financial burden on many Londoners. She tabled an early-day motion in Parliament calling for the ULEZ to be delayed, telling the BBC: “This is simply not the right time to add more pressure on people’s wallets. It’s reckless to do this in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.”

In response, Express.co.uk ran a poll from 8pm on Wednesday, June 28, to 1pm on Monday, July 3, asking readers: “Should London’s ULEZ expansion be delayed?”

A total of 1,449 readers responded with a staggering 96 percent (1,390 people) answering “yes” compared with four percent (54 people) who said “no”. A further five people said they did not know.

In the comments left below the accompanying article, readers discussed the expansion.

Many readers were against the ULEZ scheme with username Cas1919 writing: “It’s just another unnecessary money-making scam/tax affecting poorer people.”

Another, While username Bootsie2 said: “Not only should it be delayed but more importantly for lower paid, businesses, and the general economy these [schemes] should be ditched completely.”

The expansion will include five million extra people in the capital. The £110million scrappage scheme is helping Londoners on some means-tested benefits to afford a newer vehicle and will be expanded to those receiving child benefits and all small businesses later this month.

Yet the Liberal Democrats have called for the scheme to be expanded to all Londoners as well as support for those living in the home counties.

While username smokehill thought the expansion should be cancelled altogether, writing: “Never mind delay, abandon.”

Other readers commented in favour of the expansion, with username ezergood pointing out: “People die every day from motorist-induced respiratory diseases. The expanded ULEZ should, therefore, be brought in earlier to save lives.”

Likewise, username Garibaldi said: “Not only should the London scheme not be delayed but similar schemes should be accelerated in all urban areas of the UK.”

Founder of campaign group Mums for Lungs Jemima Hartshorn said: “It’s absolutely critical that even in a cost-of-living crisis we do not kick the can of air pollution down the road and let more children grow up unhealthy and unwell.”