Wednesday 18 January 2023
Sutton Council calls on the Mayor of London to delay the roll-out of the ULEZ scheme
The move comes after the Council refused to enter into a section 8
agreement under the Highways Act 1980, which would enable Transport for London
to implement the infrastructure required to deliver the ULEZ scheme on the
Council’s highway network.
Speaking at a Council meeting on Monday evening, Leader of the
Council, Ruth Dombey said the Council would continue to seek to delay the
roll-out of the scheme.
Confirming Sutton’s position at the Council meeting, Councillor
Dombey said:
“We all understand the importance of clean air and recognise the
impact pollution has on the lives of people living in our city. But we also
have to recognise the pressures our residents are facing with the soaring cost
of living. Over 70% of residents in Sutton have ULEZ compliant vehicles, that
means nearly 30% do not and in a matter of months the Mayor is expecting our
residents to stump up the cash to change their car or use public transport that
doesn’t exist.
"Unlike the introduction of the ULEZ in Central London, the
cross-boundary issues from Greater London into the Home Counties also need to
be considered. Currently, the exemptions, grace period and scrappage scheme do
not apply to those outside of London. This will have implications for residents
in our borough if people choose not to travel into Sutton to do business,
shopping and to visit friends and family.
"We have been clear with the Mayor all along that any
expansion of the ULEZ must be accompanied by significant investment in public
transport; a fair and comprehensive scrappage scheme and an extension of the
planned implementation date. Until that happens, we will not support the
scheme.
"By not signing the section 8 agreement we are sending a
clear message to the Mayor that he needs to reconsider.
"It’s important the Mayor understands the strength of feeling
of people living and working in our borough have against the scheme as it
stands and that is why I am also calling on residents to share their view by
emailing the Mayor.
"Together I believe we can delay the scheme; get a fairer
scrappage scheme and finally get the fair share of public transport our borough
so desperately needs.”
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “The
Mayor has been clear that it was not an easy decision to expand the Ultra Low
Emission Zone London-wide but a necessary one to reduce the capital’s toxic air
pollution, tackle the climate emergency and cut congestion in our city. 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.
“The Mayor has listened to Londoners throughout this process,
which is why he’s announced the biggest scrappage scheme yet - £110 million - to help
the Londoners who need it most, including charities, low income and disabled
Londoners, micro-businesses and sole traders. This is on top of the £61 million
provided for previous scrappage schemes.
“Every penny raised by the
expansion will be reinvested back into delivering public transport, including
the biggest ever expansion of bus routes in outer London.
“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.”
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:30 am