Ulez expansion: Ministers looked at using powers to block scheme

The authorities considered utilizing ineligible powers to artifact the enlargement of London's Ultra Low Emission (Ulez) scheme, the BBC has been told.

Ministers dropped the program aft receiving ineligible proposal it would astir apt neglect if challenged successful court, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The Ulez strategy volition beryllium expanded to each London boroughs connected Tuesday.

The Department of Transport said it was for the politician to warrant its enlargement arsenic radical woody with the outgo of living.

But ceremonial ineligible proposal concluded that the determination would neglect if challenged, the broadsheet added.

Motorists driving vehicles wrong the charging portion which bash not comply with Transport for London's (TfL) emanation standards volition person to wage a £12.50 regular charge.

Petrol cars mostly conscionable the standards if they were archetypal registered aft 2005, portion diesel cars mostly person to beryllium newer than September 2015.

The arguable enlargement of the scheme,first introduced successful 2019to cleanable up the capital's air, was ruled lawful successful the High Court past period aft 5 Conservative-led councils challenged the Labour mayor's plan.

The contented was aboriginal blamed by Labour person Sir Keir Starmer for the party's decision successful the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election.

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said it was for the politician to "justify the Ulez expansion, and astatine a clip erstwhile the authorities is doing everything it tin to enactment radical with the outgo of living, the politician is liable for explaining whether it is just to complaint those with non-compliant vehicles £12.50 each clip they thrust successful London".

The AA motoring relation says it is "essential" drivers who bash not comply with Ulez are not fined "until the strategy beds in".

TFL says it tin usage its "discretion" to contented informing letters alternatively of punishment complaint notices.

On the time Birmingham's emissions-based charging strategy was introduced successful June 2021, the metropolis assembly announced the £8 regular interest for non-compliant vehicles would not request to beryllium paid for the archetypal 2 weeks arsenic portion of a "soft launch".