As ULEZ areas expand, more and more people will pay the cost. With the geographic scope of the Ultra Low Emission Zone scheme set to grow at the end of August, business owners in places like Essex are worried about the economic impact.
In a bid to limit pollution, non-conforming cars are subject to a £12.50 daily charge to enter ULEZ zones. Residents and business owners are sharply divided on the costs and benefits of the policy championed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
The BBC has the story.
The current zone runs inside the north and south circular but on 29 August London Mayor Sadiq Khan is set to expand its borders out to the M25.
It means vehicles which do not meet the standard – usually petrol cars and vans registered before 2006 – will have to pay the charge if they drive anywhere within the zone. …
Michael Pegler, of Pegler Removals of Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, said: “The impact of us of ULEZ is going to be pretty large. Retention of staff is a massive problem.
“We have staff [that live in the zone] who cannot afford to upgrade their vehicles. There’s a good chance of us losing three or four staff who have been with us for years.”
He said if the scheme was phased in over two years “it wouldn’t be a problem”. …
Jon Fuller, of south east Essex Friends of the Earth and lives in Southend, said ULEZ was vital in the fight for cleaner air.
“There is a major health crisis and we have to tackle it. Tackling climate change and toxic air are not going to be easy, but we have to do this for the young,” he said.
“We have to do it because people are dying. We have to get on with it and we also have to do it outside London in areas like Southend, Chelmsford, Colchester and Harlow.”
Worth reading in full.
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