Ulez expansion: Mayor of London urges councils to 'put their politics aside'

Sadiq Khan has urged Kent and Surrey County Councils to allow ULEZ expansion signs

London's mayor has urged three councils to "put their politics aside" and allow signs warning drivers of Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) boundaries.

Sadiq Khan said Surrey, Kent and Hertfordshire County Councils were "refusing to even allow TfL to install Ulez signage".

Surrey and Kent councils have refused signage whilst there was no mitigation to minimise impact on their residents.

The mayor has previously clashed with local authorities over the expansion.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the mayor said refusal to erect signage meant councils may be responsible for drivers not being "fully aware" of the boundaries of the zone.

They added county highways authorities have "statutory obligations" and the councils have refused the TfL offer to fund the cost of the signs.

A Transport for London spokesperson said they have identified three locations where they believe the lack of advance warning signs "increases the risk of unsafe manoeuvres" and they raised this with the three councils numerous times.

The locations are on the Stanwell Moor Road approach to the roundabout with the Southern Perimeter Road of Heathrow Airport in Surrey, Hewitts roundabout in Kent and the A411 approach to Stirling Corner roundabout in Hertfordshire.

They said they believed signage was "of benefit" to residents of the home counties and urged the councils to work with them "constructively".

Sadiq Khan has urged the councils to do the "right and responsible thing" by putting up signage

Both councils confirmed they would not put up signage without any mitigation to minimise the impact of the expansion on residents of Kent and Surrey.

A spokesperson for Surrey County Council said the extended scrappage scheme would have "no impact on those outside of London".

They said it meant Surrey residents would have to pay the Ulez charge and the costs to scrap their own car as the scrappage scheme only applies to people living inside London.

They urged Mr Khan and TfL to do "what is right" and extend the scheme outside of London, provide exemption for key workers and better bus routes between the counties.

A spokesperson for Kent County Council said the aim of improving air quality must go "hand-in-hand with appropriate mitigations, including better availability of public transport."

They added plans for tolls at the Blackwall Tunnel were "another indication [Mr Khan] has no consideration for the impact it could have on Kent residents and businesses to be further financially penalised".

Hertfordshire County Council said the ULEZ expansion to Hertfordshire's borders would "price some of the lowest paid in our county off the roads".

"No amount of signage will change the fact that our residents and businesses face a £12.50 penalty for travelling into the capital," they added.