The London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has announced the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), will expand to the border of Dartford from 23rd August 2023.
The people of Dartford have been clear they do not want the ULEZ and I have consistently spoken out against such plans.
The Mayor's plan will cost people in Dartford up to £12.50 a day, seven days a week, just to cross over the border with London, creating a financial wall between neighbours, families and friends.
It will tax hardworking people despite the fact we have no control over the Mayor of London. Dartfordians also will not qualify for the scrappage scheme available to Londoners.
There is little evidence it will improve air quality in Outer London. It is a scheme designed to tax the poorest going about their daily lives.
I have continued to highlight this issue over the years since it was first proposed by the Mayor of London as the Outer London congestion charge, starting with Transport Questions in Parliament in January 2021.
I then secured a debate on the matter in March of the same year. In April 2021, I introduced my Ten Minute Rule Bill which was supported by Henry Smith, Sir Roger Gale, Gareth Bacon, Bob Blackman, Kelly Tolhurst, Damian Green, Gordon Henderson, Craig Mackinlay, Dean Russell and Felicity Buchan.
I continued to raise this issue in Parliament in June 2021, when I presented a petition from constituents who will be drastically impacted by the charge.
The Mayor held a consultation over the plan which I responded to and it has been reported that over two-thirds of responses were against the expansion of the ULEZ.
I again raised the issue in Parliament on 29th November, this time in Business Questions.
