London ULEZ: North Kent residents fear 'colossal' impact of expansion

The expansion of London's ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) will have a "colossal" impact on people who live in North Kent, according to residents.

The scheme charges drivers of vehicles that do not meet emissions standards, and is due to be expanded to London's boundary in August.

Pro-ULEZ campaigners say the scheme is vital to help reduce air pollution.

But motorists in bordering towns fear they will be unfairly impacted each time they venture out in their cars.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said the decision to expand the zone was "not an easy one".

Dartford resident Michael Gallifent said his garden wall sits on the Bexley boundary and it was "unfair"on people like him.

Michael Gallifant fears he could be charged every time he drives away from his house

He said: "Anybody coming in, either shopping, schools, doctors, hospitals, things like that... if they haven't got a compatible vehicle, they will have to pay £12.50 each day.

"The impact is going to be colossal and the emissions are going to be so diluted out here that it shouldn't be necessary," he told BBC South East.

Mike Phillips, also from Dartford, said he had to scrap two "perfectly good" non-compliant cars and buy a new one so he could visit his stables "200 yards into Bexley".

Mike Phillips, from Dartford, said it was impossible to sell a non-compliant car locally now

He added: "You can't sell a car around here for any value. If it doesn't comply, nobody is going to buy it."

Mother-of-two Koushee Dhawotal owns a car that does not meet the standard and said she and her husband cannot avoid crossing the boundary into London.

Mother-of-two, Koushee Dhawotal, said it was adding to the existing strain on finances during the cost of living crisis

"It's a massive strain," she said, "because the cost of living is increasing and on top of that another £12.50 all the time we go into London or anywhere.. It's too much."

However, pro-ULEZ campaigners say potentially unpopular action is needed to clean up London's air.

Jemima Hartshorn, founder of campaign group Mums for Lungs, said respiratory illnesses in children were "strongly linked, contributed to and exacerbated by" air pollution.

Campaigner Jemima Hartshorn says there is a strong link between air pollution and respiratory illness in children

"We all need to do what we can to keep children safe and the air pollution in Kent will reduce as well as a consequence," she added.

The scheme has been introduced by the Mayor of London, as transport is devolved in the capital.

But Dartford MP Gareth Johnson has called for a meeting with the Transport Secretary to try to stop it.

Conservative MP for Dartford Gareth Johnson said local people have had no say on the issue

Mr Johnson said: "The border between London and Kent is not neat... people cannot avoid paying it. This is what is so wrong about it.

"People in Dartford do not vote for the London Mayor," he added. "It's taxation without accountability. It's imposing this on local people rather than them having any say over the issue".

The Department for Transport has been approached for a comment.

A spokesperson for London's mayor said he has a "duty" to tackle toxic air pollution which is causing people to develop "life-changing illnesses".

"Around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely each year due to toxic air, with the greatest number of deaths attributable to air pollution in London's outer boroughs," they added.

Air pollution has "no regard for borders" and is also damaging the health of people across Kent, the spokesperson said.

The ULEZ scheme was expanded to include a larger part of London in October 2021.

Since then, Transport for London has issued 148,048 fines to vehicles registered in Kent, Sussex and Surrey for not paying the £12.50 charge.

Figures released to the BBC under the Freedom of Information Act revealed that 54,700 fines were unpaid.

The ULEZ scheme is due to be expanded on 29 August 2023.