MPs discuss new law to give Westminster powers to overturn Ulez extension

Hundreds of thousands more drivers face a daily fee of £12.50 for using London’s roads from August 29. Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

An updated law that would give Westminster powers to overturn Sadiq Khan's proposed extension of the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) has been introduced in parliament.

Former cabinet minister Theresa Villiers said the government should have the power to intervene when there are “very serious concerns” about decisions relating to transport and air quality.

She will seek to introduce the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (Amendment) Bill in the Commons through the 10-minute rule motion procedure on Wednesday.

The plans would allow Transport Secretary Mark Harper to veto decisions by Mr Khan.

Hundreds of thousands more drivers face a daily fee of £12.50 for using London’s roads from August 29 after Mr Khan announced he will expand a pollution charge zone to boost air quality.

The mayor's intention to expand Ulez hit an embarrassing set back last month after a High Court judge last month deciding five Conservative-led councils could challenge the plan.

The new borders will reach Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.

Mr Khan’s team says he is responding to a “health emergency” by taking action to tackle “toxic air” in the capital.

Ms Villiers, who represents Chipping Barnet, said her proposals could apply to other projects including low-traffic neighbourhoods and moves to build on station car parks.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s plans would see Ulez extended to all of the capital’s boroughs Credit: James Manning/PA

Ms Villiers, who represents Chipping Barnet in outer London, told the Commons: “In my 18 years as an MP … almost nothing has provoked such strong opposition as the Mayor of London’s plan to expand the ultra low emission zone.

“It comes up on almost every doorstep and at almost every meeting. People stop me in the street to tell me how strongly they feel about this, and over 50,000 have signed the Conservative petition.

“That is why I am bringing forward this Bill to give the Government power to overrule Mayor Khan and stop Ulez expansion.”

She described the Ulez expansion as the “wrong scheme at the wrong time” to improve air quality, citing the mayor’s own impact assessment which suggested the scheme would only have a “minor or negligible” impact on pollution.

Ms Villiers suggested the scheme would be bad for small business owners and shoppers alike in outer London, telling MPs: “This scheme could devastate our local town centres in outer London, as their regular customers stop coming because of the paywall Mayor Khan is constructing around our capital.”

Blue zone shows current ULEZ zone, green shows current LEZ zone and expanded ULEZ zone Credit: TfL

A spokesperson for the Mayor said: "The Mayor has been clear that the decision to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone London-wide was not an easy one, but necessary to tackle toxic air pollution and the climate crisis. It is disappointing that some backbench MPs are wasting parliamentary time playing politics.

"Both No10 and the Transport Secretary have been clear this is a matter for the elected Mayor.

“With around 4,000 Londoners dying prematurely each year due to air pollution, there is no time for inaction and it’s people in outer London, particularly the poorest households, who suffer the most from the damaging health effects."

Ms Villiers’s Bill has the backing of other Conservative London MPs, including Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Bob Blackman.

It is due to be considered by MPs again on November 24 but is unlikely to progress due to a lack of parliamentary time.

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