Sadiq Khan gets green light to press ahead with ULEZ expansion as councils lose legal challenge

Speaking to ITV News London, Sadiq Khan said his legal victory was 'good news', but expanding ULEZ had been a difficult decision

Sadiq Khan has been given the green light to press ahead with his controversial clean air zone after five Conservative-led councils lost their legal challenge.

The ruling from the High Court means there is no legal barrier to the mayor launching the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone on August 29.

Mr Khan immediately confirmed the ULEZ expansion will go ahead as planned next month.

London's mayor said: "This landmark decision is good news as it means we can proceed with cleaning up the air in outer London on 29 August.

"The decision to expand the ULEZ was very difficult and not something I took lightly and I continue to do everything possible to address any concerns Londoners may have.

"The ULEZ has already reduced toxic nitrogen dioxide air pollution by nearly half in central London and a fifth in inner London. The coming expansion will see five million more Londoners being able to breathe cleaner air.

"I've been listening to Londoners throughout the ULEZ rollout, which is why from next week I am expanding the scrappage scheme to nearly a million families who receive child benefit and all small businesses with up to fifty employees. I will continue to look at new ideas to support Londoners.

"Nine out of 10 cars seen driving in outer London on an average day are already compliant so won't pay a penny - yet will still see the benefits of cleaner air. Air pollution is an urgent public health crisis - our children are growing up with stunted lungs and it is linked to a host of serious conditions, from heart disease to cancer and dementia.

"This unambiguous decision today in the High Court allows us to press on with the difficult but vital task of cleaning up London's air and tackling the climate crisis."

Below: Simon Fawthrop from Bromley Council said the fight against ULEZ expansion was far from over despite losing the joint legal challenge

The London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon along with Surrey County Council asked the High Court to declare the ULEZ expansion unlawful.

At a hearing earlier this month, the local authorities’ lawyers argued the Labour mayor lacked the legal power to order the expansion of the zone by varying existing regulations.

They also claimed Transport for London’s public consultation was flawed.

Giving a summary of his ruling, Mr Justice Swift said: “I am satisfied that the mayor’s decision to expand the Ulez area by amendment of the present road charging scheme, rather than by making an entirely new … scheme, was within his powers.”

The judge added that, having “carefully considered” the consultation process, he was satisfied that enough information was given for people who wished to respond to provide “informed responses”.

He also said the consultation on the scrappage scheme was “not in depth”, but was “lawful”.

The five councils who brought the  challenge said they were “hugely disappointed” with the High Court’s ruling, adding that the mayor and Transport for London "do not realise the damage" the extension of the zone will have.

In a joint press release, the boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon and Surrey County Council said: “Although the Mayor of London and TfL may have the legal right to implement the scheme, the question remains whether the public would agree he has the moral right to do so, given it was only last week that the court of public opinion delivered a different verdict with the surprise by-election win in Uxbridge, an election that was seen as a referendum on the expansion of ULEZ.

"It is evident that the Mayor of London and TfL do not realise the damage the extension will have to the lives of residents and businesses in outer London as well as those outside of its borders."

Conservative London mayoral candidate Susan Hall pledged to scrap the extension if she is voted into City Hall at next year's elections: "While it is a shame the High Court did not find the ULEZ expansion to be unlawful, there is no denying that Sadiq Khan's plans will have a devastating impact on families and businesses across the city.

"If I am elected Mayor, I will stop the ULEZ expansion on day one and set up a £50m pollution hotspots fund to tackle the issue where it is, instead of taxing people where it isn't."

Below: Conservative London mayoral candidate Susan Hall said ULEZ expansion would affect charities, businesses and the poorest in society

Conservative London mayoral candidate Susan Hall pledged to scrap the extension if she is voted into City Hall at next year's elections: "While it is a shame the High Court did not find the ULEZ expansion to be unlawful, there is no denying that Sadiq Khan's plans will have a devastating impact on families and businesses across the city.

"If I am elected Mayor, I will stop the ULEZ expansion on day one and set up a £50m pollution hotspots fund to tackle the issue where it is, instead of taxing people where it isn't."

Senior Labour Party figures have also called on Mr Khan to rethink his proposals following last week’s shock Tory win in the Uxbridge & South Ruislip by-election.

Labour’s failure to take the seat formerly held by Boris Johnson has been blamed on an anti-ULEZ backlash.

Below: Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper explained the concerns about ULEZ expansion from within the Labour Party

The mayor’s ULEZ plan will see the existing clean air zone extended to all 32 London boroughs.

Any car or van which fails to meet modern emissions standards will be hit with a daily £12.50 toll to drive anywhere in Greater London.

Commenting on the ruling, Greenpeace UK’s policy director, Doug Parr, said: "As we enter an era of global boiling, now is not the time for political point scoring over measures to tackle climate change and protect the health of our children.

"Clean air is a basic human right and no one wants more traffic, toxic air pollution and the serious health problems that come with it.

"The ULEZ has been a huge success since its introduction, almost halving harmful air pollution in central London, and its expansion is supported by a majority of Londoners."

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