A Bexley MP is campaigning against plans to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) which could cost drivers £4,500 per year.

ULEZ was set up to help clean up London’s air and reduce pollution and currently covers all areas within the North (A406) and South (A205) Circular Roads – but Sadiq Khan is planning to expand this.

The Mayor of London’s expansion plans mean Bexley drivers with an older car or van would have to pay £12.50 per day or £4,500 per year for driving anywhere in Greater London.

Louie French, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, said that these costs will hit small businesses, key workers and working-class families the hardest despite there being “no clear evidence” that the plans will reduce air pollution.

He has started a petition against the ULEZ expansion plans which has already received thousands of signatures.

Louie said: “Whilst I completely believe action must be taken to tackle air pollution and I welcome the Government’s action on this, there is no clear evidence that the expanded ULEZ will improve air quality in outer London boroughs like Bexley.

“Bexley and outer London boroughs do not have the same transport options and connectivity as central London so it is extremely unfair the Mayor of London is proposing plans for expansion.

“The proposals would hit local businesses, key workers and families in Bexley who cannot afford a new car.

“We are already receiving reports of local nurses at Queen Elizabeth Hospital being impacted by the latest ULEZ expansion.

“I will therefore continue to stand up for my constituents and campaign to stop the Mayor of London's expansion plans.”

Louie is urging his constituents to continue to sign his petition and pressure the Mayor into reconsidering his plans.

He added: “To spend an estimated £400 million of taxpayers money on installing cameras across Greater London simply does not add up as a policy and if the ULEZ was really about air quality, this money could have been better spent on proper scrappage schemes, public transport and increasing charging points for electric vehicles.

“There should also be a review into the impact of his road closures on increasing traffic and potentially emissions across London.

“These plans are yet another attack on outer London areas like Bexley by the Mayor of London and a way for him to fill the black hole he has made in Transport for London’s finances, despite millions of taxpayers pounds in bailouts from central government and an 8.8% increase in his share of our council taxes.”

The Mayor is currently running a consultation on the expansion proposals which will close on July 29, 2022.

If plans go ahead, the expansion will come into force on August 29, 2023.

Louie French’s full statement said: “Under Khan’s latest plans for expansion, all of Greater London, including Bexley would fall into the ULEZ by the end of 2023.

“The Mayor of London has not only asked TfL to consult on expanding ULEZ to Greater London, but also to develop a proposal for future road user charges for delivery later this decade.

“This leads to the concern of once the cameras are in place, who's vehicles will be taxed next?

“Whilst I completely believe action must be taken to tackle air pollution and I welcome the Government’s action on this, there is no clear evidence that the expanded ULEZ will improve air quality in outer London boroughs like Bexley.

“On the contrary, these plans are yet another attack on outer London areas like Bexley by the Mayor of London and a way for him to fill the black hole he has made in Transport for London’s finances, despite millions of taxpayers pounds in bailouts from central government and an 8.8% increase in his share of our council taxes.

“To spend an estimated £400 million of taxpayers money on installing cameras across Greater London simply does not add up as a policy and if the ULEZ was really about air quality, this money could have been better spent on proper scrappage schemes, public transport and increasing charging points for electric vehicles.

“There should also be a review into the impact of his road closures on increasing traffic and potentially emissions across London.

“Bexley and outer London boroughs do not have the same transport options and connectivity as Central London so it is extremely unfair the Mayor of London is proposing plans for expansion.

"The proposals would hit local businesses, key workers and families in Bexley who cannot afford a new car.

“We are already receiving reports of local nurses at Queen Elizabeth Hospital being impacted by the latest ULEZ expansion.

“I will therefore continue to stand up for my constituents and campaign to stop the Mayor of London's expansion plans.

“I would like to thank the thousands of residents who have already signed my petition as showing the strong public opposition to the plans across Greater London and forcing the Mayor to back down is our best chance of stopping it.

“I will be submitting my formal objections in mid-July and the stronger the push back from local residents, the better.”

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