ULEZ expansion labelled ‘death of the modern classic car’

Others have even moved houses away from the zone which will be extended from the North and South Circular roads to cover the whole of Greater London.

One classic vehicle owner, whose vehicle does not meet emission standards, plans to not pay the ULEZ charge of £12.50 a day, which could lead to a fine of £180.

Trevor Manlow. (Image: PA)

Classic vehicle owners share objection to ULEZ expansion

Trevor Manlow from Hillingdon, West London, is locked into a finance deal on his 2000 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide with more than three-and-a-half years left.

Mr Manlow, 53, said classic vehicles are going to become “museum artefacts or tin cans” due to the boundary change.

He added: “It makes me angry, kids see these cars and bikes on the street and at shows and smile, they love it. However, the Ulez expansion is going to kill this as fewer people will be taking them out.

“I’ll still ride my bike, I’ll just refuse to pay the charge and I’ll take it to a garage to make it ULEZ-compliant at the first opportunity.”

Paul Tucker. (Image: PA)

Another classic vehicle owner, Paul Tucker, a 52-year-old vehicle body fitter, said he will have to take out a loan to buy a new car and will be in debt because of ULEZ.

From Northolt, West London, Mr Tucker uses his 1998 Peugeot 106 Rally to commute to work in High Wycombe and has owned it for more than 15 years.

Discussing the ULEZ, the bodybuilder said: “I feel targeted, it’s just another money-making scheme and if the mayor was serious he’d issue a complete ban.
Paul Tucker (Image: PA)

“I need a car to get to work and I can’t afford one outright so I’m going to have to take out a loan to buy one. I’m going to be in debt because of Ulez.

“A lot of people are going to suffer because of this scheme.”

Whilst Mayor Khan did create a scrappage scheme for the ULEZ, some think it’s not enough, as retired aircraft engineer Peter McGeough, 80, who plans to scrap his 1999 Volvo V70 shares:

“The support scheme just isn’t enough and as this is my only vehicle I’m going to have to depend on my family to help with my day-to-day jobs like my food shopping, going to the doctors – as I just have no other way of getting there. I am so wound up at the whole situation.”

James Stoddart. (Image: PA)

Sunbed salon owner James Stoddart has invested more than £20,000 into his 1985 Austin Mini and as he lives in Epsom, Surrey, he does not get a vote in the London mayoral elections.

The 62-year-old said: “I’m going to have to restrict how often I take this car out now, which I know will kill off modern classic cars not just for me but for thousands of car enthusiasts.”