ULEZ expansion: Protesters march in Romford town centre

A group of protestors gathered in Romford in their ongoing campaign against the Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion (ULEZ).

ULEZ came into force across London – including Havering – today (August 29) and will see drivers of non-compliant vehicles charged £12.50 each day they pilot them within the zone.

A scrappage scheme is on offer to Londoners to help them replace their old cars.  

But members of the Havering against ULEZ movement have claimed that the expansion will hit poor families and local businesses hard.

Having held many protests leading up to the day of expansion, the demonstrators continued to urge Havering Council to step in.

Holly Wyatt, 32, who was at today’s protest, told the Recorder that about 50 to 60 people assembled at the Golden Lion in Romford.

They then marched down to Havering Town Hall to speak to council members and met with council leader Ray Morgon.

Read More: Dagenham and Rainham MP Jon Cruddas slams ULEZ expansion

Holly is a teacher and said she has a non-compliant vehicle that she drives to work.

With ULEZ in effect, she said she can no longer use her car and has to rely on her friends and family to drop her off.

She said: “It’s not an old car, but I will now have to pay £12.50 to just drive for 15 minutes. It’s ludicrous.

“I can’t even get rid of my car as I have got to pay my finance. I don’t know what to do and the council has no answers.

“They need to listen to us and know that we don’t want it, but they are not doing that.”

Cllr Morgon told the Recorder earlier this month that the expansion should have been delayed until 2026.

“It is probably the worst time to bring this policy in,” he said. “The scrappage scheme is more generous than it was previously and more people will be eligible, but it’s in my view not a game changer.”

He has also defended the council’s decision not to join legal action against the expansion.

“What power does Havering Council have to stop ULEZ from going ahead?

“We don’t want to waste council money on legal fees [by mounting an appeal].”

A report has also said that Havering Council could face thousands of pounds in fines if it fails to replace its non-compliant vehicles.

The issue of the expansion will be discussed at an extraordinary council meeting tomorrow (August 30).

London mayor Sadiq Khan said the expansion was a “landmark day”, adding the move would lead to “a greener, healthier London for everyone”.

He added: “The decision to expand the ULEZ Londonwide was a difficult one, but necessary to save lives, protect children’s lungs and help prevent asthma, dementia and other health issues.”