London’s mayor faces high court challenge over Ulez expansion
A legal challenge to the expansion of London’s ultra-low emission zone will be heard in the high court later this year, after a judgment permitted councils to proceed.
The city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, vowed to press on regardless with plans to extend the Ulez, which he has argued is needed to tackle toxic air that is responsible for thousands of premature deaths a year.
Four London borough councils – Hillingdon, Bexley, Bromley, Harrow – and Surrey county council were granted permission to challenge the policy in court, although only two of the five grounds they presented were deemed “arguable”, and only in part.
The Ulez, which is aimed at reducing air pollution by charging drivers of older vehicles, will be expanded from inner boroughs to the whole of Greater London in August.
The five Conservative-led councils have sought to block the expansion, which is unpopular among many drivers in the suburbs.
Residents and small businesses have expressed concern about the financial impact, although Transport for London estimates that only a small minority of older vehicles will be liable for the charge, which is £12.50 daily for diesels typically registered before 2015 and petrol cars before 2004.
The councils argued that Khan had failed to comply with relevant statutory requirements and had not consulted on a £110m scrappage scheme introduced to help drivers transition to newer cars or public transport.
Sir Ross Cranston, a former high court judge, said the first ground was “doubtful but arguable” and that the second was “on the cusp”, although only on one aspect of its argument. He turned down three other claimed grounds for appeal. The court hearing is expected in July.
A spokesperson for Khan said: “The mayor is pleased to see the
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