Bexley Labour notes the high court decision to uphold the decision of the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan to extend the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) in August, to make London’s air cleaner.
Conservative run London Borough of Bexley was one of five boroughs that were legally challenging this extension through a judicial review process, this has cost Bexley taxpayers up to £100,000. Bexley Labour Group condemn this waste of taxpayer’s money and have requested the final cost, which is being taken out of the council’s already depleted financial reserves. In addition to this, we have requested the legal advice given to the Leader of the Council to undertake this action. It is in the public interest to know what advice they received on the likelihood of this action being successful.
Bexley residents see overflowing bins, missed bin collections, potholes not being repaired, and grass verges not being cut, yet this council has spent £100,000 on a politically motivated decision to use councils reserves, reserves that could have been used to deal with the council’s financial pressures and not giving lawyers more money.
Cllr. Stefano Borella, Leader of the Labour group said:
“We have requested the legal advice given to the Leader of Council to undertake this action, so Bexley residents judge whether this was an effective use of council resources, while council services are under strain.
Bexley residents deserve better from this administration than wasting Bexley taxpayers’ money on a day in court, when they would rather the council does its job, providing decent council services like dealing with overflowing waste bins and reducing the amount of missed bin collections.
Bexley Labour is delighted that Sadiq Khan has announced on the 3rd of August a more generous scrappage scheme that makes ULEZ affordable for all – he is stepping in where the government has failed.
These include:
The mayor has said everyone in the capital whose car does not meet emissions standards will be eligible for a £2,000 grant from August 21.
Small businesses and sole traders will be able to claim up to £21,000 to scrap as many as three vans and get them replaced.
Charities can get up to £27,000 to scrap three minibuses as City Hall hailed “the most generous scrappage scheme ever seen in the UK”.
More details can be found following the link below:
https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/sadiq-khan-announces-new-help-scrappage-ulez/
Bexley Labour group will continue to engage with the Mayor of London as the ULEZ expansion is launched, to improve public transport and lobby for the improved bus routes that Bexley residents need to travel across the borough. We welcome the consultation to introduce a new super loop bus service from Bromley to Thamesmead.
Improving public transport in outer London is central to the Mayor’s Transport Strategy and enabling people to travel more sustainably. TfL is to consult on expanding the bus network in outer London, to introduce the super loop bus service to include a proposed new route from Bromley to Thamesmead.
Details can be found below on further exemptions exemptions and discounts. Including details on the scrappage scheme and help for small businesses.
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/discounts-and-exemptions