Council calls for ULEZ expansion to be scrapped

Friday, 10 February 2023 07:00

Buckinghamshire Council is calling for the planned extension of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London to be scrapped.

Cabinet Member for Transport, Steven Broadbent, wrote to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, last year to express concerns over the proposals. Since then, the expansion plans have been approved by Transport for London (TfL) and are due to come into effect from the end of August 2023, prompting the council to contact the Mayor of London once again.

Concerned about the impact the extension of the scheme will have locally, Buckinghamshire Council is calling for the proposals to be reconsidered or scrapped altogether. Steven Broadbent explained: “We support intentions to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions and have our own strong plan to achieve this, but we don’t believe this is being carried out in the right way through the ULEZ expansion proposal and we have serious concerns about the impacts this expansion will have on both our residents and our roads. We believe that any development of the scheme must only be considered in tandem with enhanced provision and improvements to alternative transport options and full consideration being given to the knock-on effects any changes will have on the wider area.”

One of the council’s main concerns is the cost implications for the many residents who commute into the Greater London area, particularly at a time when other cost of living pressures are already having a serious impact on people’s lives.