Sadiq Khan ULEZ: London mayor reacts to expansion ruling

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has shared a statement following the High Courts ruling of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

The ruling saw Mr Justice Swift confirm the ULEZ would be expanding across all of Greater London, seeing non-compliant vehicles pay a daily fixed fee of £12.50.

The ULEZ was created to help tackle the capital’s air pollution, with a cut of emissions aiming to improve air quality and save the lives of Londoners.

Following the ruling, Khan has shared a statement on X, formerly Twitter, on his thoughts. 

Sadiq Khan shares thoughts on the High Court ULEZ ruling

Taking to X, Mayor Khan wrote: “This landmark decision is good news as it means we can proceed with cleaning up the air in outer London on 29 August.

“The decision to expand the Ulez was very difficult and not something I took lightly and I continue to do everything possible to address any concerns Londoners may have.

BREAKING: My statement on today’s ULEZ High Court ruling: pic.twitter.com/b9nYaOGTZh

— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) July 28, 2023

“The Ulez has already reduced toxic nitrogen dioxide air pollution by nearly half in central London and a fifth in inner London.

“The coming expansion will see five million more Londoners being able to breathe cleaner air.

“I’ve been listening to Londoners throughout the Ulez rollout, which is why from next week I am expanding the scrappage scheme to nearly a million families who receive child benefit and all small businesses with up to 50 employees. I will continue to look at new ideas to support Londoners.”

Adding: “Nine out of 10 cars seen driving in outer London on an average day are already complaint so won’t pay a penny- yet will still see the benefits of cleaner air.

“Air pollution is an urgent public health crisis- our children are growing up with stunted lungs and it is linked to a host of serious conditions, from heart disease to cancer and dementia.

“This unambiguous decision today in the High Court allows us to press on with the difficult but vital task of cleaning up London’s air and tackling the climate crisis.”

????We are pleased that the ULEZ expansion is going ahead as planned.

Air pollution is a public health emergency contributing to 4,000 early deaths in London every year. This is a positive step towards cleaner air across the city, allowing Londoners to breathe more easily. https://t.co/aGywbj3zu3

— Asthma + Lung UK (@asthmalunguk) July 28, 2023

Opposing councils respond to High Court ULEZ ruling

The five councils who brought the Ulez legal challenge said they were “hugely disappointed” with the High Court’s ruling, adding that the mayor and Transport for London (TfL) “do not realise the damage” the extension of the zone will have.

In a joint press release, the boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon and Surrey County Council said: “Although the Mayor of London and TfL may have the legal right to implement the scheme, the question remains whether the public would agree he has the moral right to do so, given it was only last week that the court of public opinion delivered a different verdict with the surprise by-election win in Uxbridge, an election that was seen as a referendum on the expansion of Ulez.

“It is evident that the Mayor of London and TfL do not realise the damage the extension will have to the lives of residents and businesses in outer London as well as those outside of its borders.”