ULEZ: Sadiq Khan not willing to “put his head in the sand” as judicial review hearings begin

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan says he is “not willing to put his head in the sand” over toxic air in the capital as court proceedings begin today over the ULEZ expansion.

Five Conservative councils are at the High Court today (Tuesday July 4) seeking a judicial review to block the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone to outer London.

The scheme, which is to reach outer London from August 29, will charge some drivers of the most polluting cars £12.50 per day.

The London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Hillingdon and Harrow, plus Surrey County Council have been granted three legal grounds to challenge the expansion.

These include the fairness and lawfulness of the consultation on expected outer London compliance rates, and issues around the scrappage scheme and consultation on it.

The councils also argue that due to the area covered by the ULEZ expansion, it should be treated as a new scheme.

Speaking at an event on Monday, the mayor said it is up for the judges to decide now.

“One of the joys of democracy is if you’re a Conservative council and you’re unhappy with ULEZ you can take TfL to court,” Mayor Khan told LondonWorld.

“It’s for them to argue the case why they think ULEZ shouldn’t be expanded. TfL will be defending the case. We’ll have to see what the judges decide.

“I’m quite clear that for me clean air is a human right, not a privilege. Just like none of us would deem it acceptable to drink dirty water.

“I don’t think it should be acceptable to breathe dirty air that’s leading to thousands of premature deaths, children with stunted lungs, adults with a whole host of health issues from asthma, to cancer, to heart disease.

“The science is quite clear, the evidence is quite clear. I’m not willing to put my head in the sand and I’m hoping the courts agree with me.”

A defeat for Mr Khan could force him to delay or re-consult on the extension of ULEZ.

A decision is likely to come towards the end of July, only a month from the planned start date.

Nick Rogers AM, City Hall Conservatives’ transport spokesperson, said: "This is an important day for London, as the High Court deliberates on whether Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ decision was unlawful.

“From the evidence that has been uncovered, it’s obvious that Sadiq Khan does not have the legal basis to proceed with his ULEZ tax plans, which take money from charities, small businesses and low income Londoners who cannot afford a new car. Sadiq Khan should do the right thing and stop his ULEZ expansion."