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MP Column April 25: Alex Burghart MP, Brentwood and Ongar

This week, Alex talks about the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone into his constituency

Nicola Lloyd

InYourArea Community, Nicola Lloyd

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MP Column April 25: Alex Burghart MP, Brentwood and Ongar

BRENTWOOD AND ONGAR MP: Alex Burghart

Written by Alex Burghart MP, Brentwood and Ongar

The impact of the decision by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across the whole of London is still causing huge concerns for all those people living in constituencies which border London, including Brentwood and Ongar.

Despite promising, during the last mayoral elections, that he would only expand it to the North and South circular roads, Sadiq Khan has now confirmed that the ULEZ will be expanded across all London boroughs from August 29 this year.

While the need to improve air quality in London is clear, the planned rapid expansion of the ULEZ has left business people, firefighters, social workers, police officers and carers living in Brentwood facing the prospect of having to pay the £12.50 ULEZ a day to travel to work.

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Alternatively, they will have to find the money to buy a vehicle which meets the emission targets. At a time when the cost of living is already hitting household budgets hard, these are not viable options for many workers.

Those living outside London do not qualify for the scrappage scheme for non-compliant vehicles. Five Conservative London councils mounted a legal challenge to the scheme and the High Court has granted permission for judicial review on the grounds the Mayor failed to comply with statutory requirements.

I’m backing the challenge to this unwanted and unnecessary ULEZ expansion and look forward to the hearing which is due to take place in July.

Last week's column

Until then, if you have concerns about the Mayor of London’s policies and are going to lose work or have to find extra cash to care for relatives living in London, you can send your complaints to the Mayor of London himself at www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-mayor-does/contact-city-hall-or-mayor/complaints.

The Brentwood Gazette covers areas including but not limited to Billericay, Brentwood, Hutton, Shenfield and Wickford in Essex.

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