The expansion of London's ultra-low emission zone has sparked concerns about the potential impact on footfall in town centres in the Bexley borough.

Bexley Council has expressed worry about the consequences of the ULEZ expansion.

The zone has been extended to cover all of outer London today (August 29), meaning most owners of older, non-compliant cars will have to pay £12.50 per day to drive within the zone.

In response, a group of five Conservative-led London councils launched a legal challenge against the proposal including Bexley, Bromley, Harrow, Hillingdon, and Surrey County Council.

However, their challenge was dismissed by the court in July, which allowed the ULEZ expansion to proceed.

Sadiq Khan described the court's decision as a "landmark" and assured Londoners that he is taking their concerns into account.

Despite the opposition and concerns raised by Bexley council and others, Mayor Khan remains determined to implement the Ulez expansion as planned on August 29.

Bexley Council has expressed concern that previous visitors from outside London may think twice before traveling into the new Ulez area.

However, the council is actively collaborating with town centre partners and business improvement districts (BIDs) in Bexleyheath and Sidcup to encourage visits and increase footfall.

Recent events organized by Bexleyheath BID, such as a dinosaur exhibition and wrestling event, attracted record-breaking footfall to the town.

The council has also said that infrastructure investment is being made to support the return of a popular night market next year, demonstrating the council's efforts to mitigate the potential negative consequences of the ULEZ expansion.

A spokesperson for Bexley Council said: “We are of course concerned about the effect that expansion of ULEZ will have on all businesses in the borough.

“We are sure that previous visitors from outside London will think twice before travelling into the new ULEZ area.

“The Council collaborate closely with town centre partners across Bexley, including working with the two Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Bexleyheath and Sidcup.

“The BIDs and other partners regularly put on events to encourage visits and increase footfall.

“Bexleyheath BID recently brought Dinosaurs and Wrestling to the Broadway, which saw record breaking footfall to the town. “Investment is also being made to the infrastructure in Bexleyheath to help support the return of the popular night market next year.”