Louie French MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup has expressed his deep disappointment at the High Court’s judgement on the ULEZ expansion to Greater London but reassured constituents that he will continue to fight against this harmful policy all the way.
Louie has expressed his continued concern over the detrimental impact of the ULEZ expansion which will cost local residents and businesses £12.50 per day for driving within the constituency or anywhere in Greater London if you drive an older car which will be a hammer blow to local business and household budgets.
Louie is calling for Sadiq Khan and Keir Starmer to finally listen to the overwhelming opposition against the ULEZ expansion which was clearly shown through consultation and the recent Uxbridge by-election which has been completely ignored by City Hall.
Bexley Council and 4 other London Councils brought the Judicial Review against the Mayor of London and Transport for London over the planned expansion to outer London. The Judicial Review examined whether the Mayor of London followed correct process throughout the course of ULEZ expansion rather than judging the policy itself.
The High Court granted the 5 councils’ permission to challenge the ULEZ expansion on 3 grounds:
- Failure to follow statutory procedure - Schedule 23 Greater London Authority Act 1999
- Unlawful and unfair consultation regarding expected compliance rates in outer London
- Unlawfulness regarding the scrappage scheme, including failing to consider a buffer zone, irrationality and inadequate consultation
The High Court judgment does not signal an end to efforts against the planned ULEZ expansion as Louie vows to continue to fight against this tax raid on local drivers which you can support by signing his petition here.
Further legal action could now follow and there remains major questions on how the scheme can legally be introduced when counties such as Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire are refusing to allow ULEZ signs to be erected on their land.
Commenting, Louie said:
“Today’s judgement is a speed bump in our journey fighting against Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ expansion but my solid opposition to Sadiq Khan’s proposed expansion of ULEZ to Bexley remains absolute.”
“The planned ULEZ expansion will have a devastating financial and social impact on residents and businesses in Old Bexley and Sidcup whilst delivering a negligible impact on air quality. Sadiq Khan has continued to ignore this and the overwhelming opposition to the expansion to outer London.”
“I will always stand up for Old Bexley and Sidcup constituents on the issues that matter to them and I will continue to fight against the planned ULEZ expansion including through calling on Sadiq Khan to listen to the worries of residents and businesses, supporting Councils in further action and supporting our Conservative Mayor of London Candidate, Susan Hall who will stop ULEZ expansion if elected.”
