London Ulez: court dismisses challenge by five councils over expansion | London

The high court has dismissed a legal challenge by five Conservative-led councils against the expansion of London’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez).

The zone, which the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has said is a vital move to tackle toxic air, is due to be extended throughout the whole of Greater London at the end of August, making owners of the most polluting cars pay to drive.

The outer London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon, along with Surrey county council, launched legal action in February. At the high court earlier this month, barristers argued that Khan had failed to adequately consult, overstepped his powers, and had provided a flawed £110m scrappage scheme.

Drivers of vehicles that do not meet the Ulez standards – typically petrol cars from before 2006 and diesels registered before 2015 – have to pay £12.50 a day when they enter the zone.

Originally drawn up under the previous mayor, Boris Johnson, the Ulez launched in central London in 2019, and was expanded to draw about 4 million people into the zone, up to the North and South Circular roads, in October 2021.

The planned expansion throughout Greater London has become a significant political issue, and was seen as the key factor in the Conservatives narrowly winning the Uxbridge and South Ruislip byelection last week.

According to Transport for London, only about 6% of vehicles now entering the zone pay a fee, and an estimated 15% of vehicles driven in outer London are noncompliant.

More to follow….