MP Stephen Metcalfe calls for government to reverse Mayor of London’s expanded emmision zone plan

EAST Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe has raised the specter of an extended London Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in the House of Commons, saying it will have an adverse impact on people in his constituency.

Mr Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock, asked Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Prime Minister’s Questions today (Wednesday 14 December) what the Government could do to stop London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s zoning.

The Mayor has chosen to ignore his own public consultation on extending the £12.50 daily ULEZ charge. Around 70 per cent of residents outside London and 80 per cent of business owners opposed the extension, but their views appear to have been ignored and the extension is due to be implemented in nine months.

According to Mr Metcalfe, this means that with soaring energy bills and inflation, households will have to set aside extra money to pay the daily charge or buy a modern ULEZ-compliant vehicle, which is unaffordable for many people in Thurrock.

He said the ULEZ expansion is a raid on drivers’ wallets and a hammer blow for companies when they need all the support they can get.

Recently Mr Metcalfe was a signatory to an open letter to the Telegraph from Gareth Bacon MP which highlighted that outer London is very different from inner London and should not be included in the ULEZ zone.

The letter states that outer London does not experience the same levels of pollution, does not enjoy the same transport links and is inextricably linked to the Home Counties. Thousands of people including and Thurrock move across the Greater London border every day.

Mr Metcalfe asked the Prime Minister: “The Mayor of London has decided, despite objections, to extend the ULEZ zone to all London boroughs, which will have a massive impact on my constituents and those who share a border with London.

“Therefore, do you urge you to speak to the Minister for Transport and encourage him to use the powers at his disposal to reverse this disastrous decision.”

Mr Sunak replied: “My esteemed friend will know that transport in London is being delegated to the Labor Mayor of London, but it is disappointing that the Mayor, backed by the opposition leader, is choosing not to listen to the public.

“The zone is expanding against the overwhelming views of residents and businesses and I would strongly consider the Mayor and Lord Opposite to side with hardworking Londoners.”