ULEZ expansion: High Court rules expansion can go ahead

This morning, July 28, a High Court judge confirmed that the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion in London will be going ahead.

It comes after London Mayor Sadiq Khan proposed the expansion across all of Greater London last November, seeing all vehicles that do not meet standards pay a daily fee of £12.50.

Since its announcement, the ULEZ has seen mass debate, with boarding boroughs, including  Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon, opposing the plans and taking legal action against the expansion.

But now, a High Court judge has confirmed that the ULEZ expansion will take place.

The ruling was made in the High Court. (Image: PA)

ULEZ expansion to not take place after High Court ruling

Giving a summary of his ruling, Mr Justice Swift said: “I am satisfied that the mayor’s decision to expand the Ulez area by amendment of the present road charging scheme, rather than by making an entirely new … scheme, was within his powers.”

The judge added that, having “carefully considered” the consultation process, he was satisfied that enough information was given for people who wished to respond to provide “informed responses”.

He also said the consultation on the scrappage scheme was “not in depth”, but was “lawful”.

Responding to the ruling, the Conservative Party’s London mayor candidate Susan Hall said: “While it is a shame the High Court did not find the Ulez expansion to be unlawful, there is no denying that Sadiq Khan’s plans will have a devastating impact on families and businesses across the city.

“If I am elected Mayor, I will stop the Ulez expansion on day one and set up a £50 million pollution hotspots fund to tackle the issue where it is, instead of taxing people where it isn’t.”

This will mean that from Tuesday, August 29, all non-complaint vehicles will need to pay a daily charge of £12.50.

Mayor Khan proposed the ULEZ to help battle London’s air pollution, as Ben Jaffey KC, representing the mayor and Transport for London (TfL) previously shared that the main objective of the expansion was to “to improve London’s air quality, in particular reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates”.

The ruling will come in the wake of last week’s Uxbridge and South Ruislip parliamentary by-election, where Labour’s failure to win ex-prime minister Boris Johnson’s seat was blamed on concerns around the expansion of ULEZ.