Thursday 21 October 2021 10:00 am | Updated: Thursday 21 October 2021 10:28 am

Opinion-in-brief: Sadiq Khan expansion of ULEZ comes at the ultra-worst time

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 08: A green sign demarcates London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) as the charge comes in to effect today on April 8, 2019 in London, England. In a bid by Transport for London to improve air quality, older and more polluting cars will be charged £12.50 to enter the ULEZ area and congestion zone. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

Londoners need more time and help to prepare for Sadiq Khan’s expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone.

Covid restrictions only ended three months ago, and few have had a chance to recover, let alone prepare for the charge. City Hall has offered little help to those who can’t afford to switch vehicles.

Only a third of low-income and disabled applicants have received a scrappage grant – and there’s only funding for 1,000 more drivers. Over 140,000 Londoners will be hit by the charge a day. These motorists aren’t petrol-guzzling Top Gear fans – they’re tradesmen, care workers, and NHS staff who rely on their vehicles.

City Hall can afford to help Londoners prepare for ULEZ. There is £50m Khan could use to help Londoners to enable larger scrappage schemes. We must clean up London’s air – but we can’t do it on the backs of the poorest.