THE Mayor of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion will now impact many Thurrock residents directly claim the Thurrock Conservatives.
Not only those who commute but also our friends and neighbours visiting family in Havering, Dagenham and other neighbouring London Boroughs. This policy will undoubtedly push London’s pollution into surrounding areas and cause severe rat-running when Thurrock already has to deal with significant commercial congestion. Thurrock’s Conservatives have openly objected to the expansion of ULEZ and are calling for the Mayor to consider extending the benefits of the Scrappage Scheme to neighbouring communities which are equally impacted.
Cllr Andrew Jefferies (Cabinet Member for Environment), said: “The Mayor of London is making a big mistake. My residents in Ockendon do not deserve to have more polluting vehicles redirected through Thurrock and worsening our air quality. All the while having to pay a stealth tax when going about our daily business. Those of us in West Thurrock are used to passing into Havering to visit loved ones, and now even residents attending ceremonies at the nearest crematorium in Upminster will have to pay this tax. I hope the Mayor will reconsider his position or at least push for the scrappage scheme to be extended to my residents in Ockendon too!”
Cllr Ben Maney (Cabinet Member for Highways), said: “ULEZ expansion is going to hurt our residents and without the scrappage scheme will force plenty of normal people who travel into London Borough’s for work, to see family or even receive medical care to pay out for a new car or face the Mayor’s stealth charges. Our neighbouring Council’s in Essex and elsewhere have announced that they will be preventing the Mayor of London from advertising the Zone with signs on their land. However, I would like local residents to know exactly who is responsible for this inappropriate charge on families with older cars. Currently, Thurrock Council is in discussions to see what these signs look like and we will take any necessary action to protect our residents from this Labour policy decision.”
