Essex County Council has voted to ban signs relating to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) ahead of the scheme’s scheduled expansion to the county’s borders in August.
The motion, which was passed at a full council meeting on Tuesday (11 July), opposed new ULEZ signs and alterations to existing signs on the council’s land and highways.
It also called on London mayor Sadiq Khan to reverse the planned ULEZ expansion, which is set to affect all London boroughs from 29 August.
Cllr Holly Whitbread, who moved the motion, said the expansion ‘could separate families and friends who live in Essex from those who live in the historic parts of Essex that are now within the Greater London Boundary.’
She also said the expansion would ‘disproportionally hit key workers and those on low incomes who cannot afford to buy new, compliant cars’.
Cllr Lee Scordis called the motion’s objection to ULEZ ‘complete scaremongering’.
He added: ‘The fact is, we do face a climate emergency and we do have to look at the way we travel.’
Transport for London has said that ULEZ ‘has helped to reduce harmful nitrogen dioxide pollution by nearly half in central London.’
A High Court hearing took place last week, launched by five councils who claimed Mr Khan had no legal power to expand the ULEZ zone. A ruling is expected at the end of July.
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