Legislation that will enable London boroughs to opt out of future road charging schemes has been welcomed as ‘an enormous step forwards in local democracy’.
The Government-backed amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill was prompted by the controversial expansion of Transport for London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) in the face of opposition from some councils.
The amendment will allow boroughs to excuse themselves from future schemes if they are meeting air quality standards or have an approved plan to do so, and gives the Secretary of State a power to intervene ‘in certain circumstances’.
It was devised by Lord Moylan, former Kensington and Chelsea councillor and adviser to Boris Johnson as London Mayor.
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