Dartford MP Gareth Johnson launches bill over Ulez expansion

An MP is introducing a bill in parliament to give the government the power to overturn the expansion of London's ultra-low emission zone.

Gareth Johnson, MP for Dartford in Kent, described the expansion as "a cruel taxation".

The ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) expansion began in August, covering all outer-London boroughs.

The Mayor of London said the decision was necessary to tackle toxic air pollution and the climate crisis.

The private members bill, a public bill introduced by MPs and Lords who are not government ministers, will get its first reading in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

A £12.50 daily charge applies for driving in the zone if the vehicle does not meet certain emission standards.

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent, Mr Johnson said: "This Ulez expansion has nothing to do with pollution. I don't accept what the Mayor of London is saying. If he really wanted to actually stop these vehicles coming into London then he'd just ban them.

"This is a cruel form of taxation."

In July, the High Court ruled the expansion was lawful after five Conservative-led councils challenged the Labour Mayor of London's plans to expand the Ulez.

A statement from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "The Mayor has been clear that the decision to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone London-wide was not an easy one, but necessary to tackle toxic air pollution and protect Londoners' health.

"Ministers have given funding to numerous UK cities to introduce clean air zones including in Birmingham and Bristol, and the Government is under legal obligations to tackle air pollution. We have received no indication that ministers intend to renege on their commitment to devolution in cities and communities across the country."

It added that 95% of vehicles seen driving in London on an average day now meet clean air standards due to the mayor's £160m scrappage scheme.

It also said that the mayor "continues to call on the Government to fund a national scrappage scheme which would cover the wider south-east, and has asked elected officials to join him in lobbying the Government for additional financial support".

The bill aims to amend the Greater London Authority Act 1999 which would give the Secretary of State power "to review and overturn decisions made by the Mayor of London relating to transport and to air quality".

Mr Johnson said he hoped his bill could alter the law by next summer if it was unopposed.

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