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.”