Conservatives promise to ‘undo’ Outer London ULEZ and prevent 20MPH limits like in Wales
During their general election campaign, Mark Harper and Rishi Sunak have accused Labour of initiating a ‘war on drivers’.
If re-elected, Conservative roads chiefs will block blanket 20mph zones and eliminate outer London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
The top Tories propose a “Backing Drivers Bill” to shield drivers from what they deem as the harsh policies of local Labour politicians, as stated by the party.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper, in the midst of the General Election campaigns, stated: “We will reverse Sadiq Khan’s unfair ULEZ expansion and reject any blanket 20-mile-an-hour zones because we stand with the drivers. We will also dismiss any pay-per-mile road tax to keep costs down for drivers.
“This election presents a clear choice—Labour, who will continue to penalize drivers, or the Conservatives, who will support drivers.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticized Labour leaders in Westminster and Cardiff Bay for commencing a “war on drivers.”
Drivers of the most polluting vehicles face a £12.50 daily charge if they use almost any road within Greater London, on top of tolls or the inner London Congestion Charge. However, drivers of ULEZ-compliant vehicles are exempt from this fee.
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As per Mayor of London figures from October last year, 95 percent of vehicles on the capital’s roads meet clean air standards—a significant increase from 39 percent in 2017.
Research commissioned by City Hall from Imperial College London concluded that “toxic air” led to around 4,000 premature deaths in the capital.
However, the policy faced backlash when Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan expanded it to include outer London boroughs last year—areas like Bromley, Croydon, Heathrow Airport, and Wembley.
Previously, it only covered the area between the A406 North Circular and A205 South Circular roads.
There have been instances of vandalism of ULEZ cameras and signs, while anti-ULEZ protestors have gathered at locations like Parliament Square, Trafalgar Square, and Strand.
The Welsh Government reduced the default speed limit on restricted roads from 30mph to 20mph in December last year, encompassing built-up areas like villages, towns, and cities.
According to the Welsh Government, Labour’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Ken Skates, is engaged in a listening program from April to July this year and will propose new policy guidelines for the autumn.
“We still believe that 20mph is appropriate, but we aim to ensure the right speeds on the right roads,” a Welsh Government webpage states.
