The street where residents could have to pay £12 each time they get in the car

20 August 2023 , 19:29

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Many people living in Headley Close, Chessington, have slammed Transport for London (TfL) for its placement of the camera

A ULEZ camera placed in a London cul-de-sac means residents will be charged £12.50 every time they get in their car - if the vehicle doesn't meet certain criteria.

Many people living in Headley Close, Chessington, have slammed Transport for London (TfL) for its placement of the camera amid a push Mayor Sadiq Khan to increase the controversial scheme's zone across the city.

The road in the borough of Kingston - which will be added to the zone on August 29 - has a row of garages at one end, mainly used by van drivers.

A boundary anomaly means when they exit the street onto Chessington Road they will be in Surrey, in Epsom and Ewell - while the border also includes part of the A3 Kingston bypass creating a 'ULEZ island'.

Any vehicles not compliant - usually those registered before 2006 for petrol and 2014 for diesel - will be charged. In a nearby street to the dead-end cul-de-sac, a ULEZ camera has been hacked down.

Boy, 14, found behind wheel of Land Rover with 'drunk parents in the backseat'

Underneath it, two cardboard signs read: "Our local hero! Top man. Thank you! Up yours Khan!" Another says: "Whoever did this we owe you a pint. Cheers mate." And a third: "Swivel on that Kahn."

Svet Vas, who lives on Headley Close, has already spent up to £70,000 replacing three of his vans to ensure he meets the restrictions. However, he has a trailer to transport a modified Land Rover to dirt tracks. He believes the non-compliant vehicle's massive tyres will spend about 35 seconds at a time on the street which will mean a charge every time he carries out his hobby.

He told the MailOnline: "I spent thousands and thousands of pounds modifying so I could put it on the trailer, so I'm legal with the police, with everyone – and then I can't even unload it now. There are old people here and they're going to have to park on the other road. I'm fortunate to make a good living, but there's a lot of people that can't afford cars like that. The guys that were building it said to me that they found three or four cars that were non-ULEZ, and that's why they put it in [the camera]."

Another resident, aged 47, believes the road has been targeted for the scheme because it's the last road before Kingston becomes Epsom and Ewell. A third, aged 83, said "we are a little road that nobody knows". Gary Schoard said he may have to scrap his pick-up truck. He doesn't even live in the area but every time he wants to visit his brother he will have to pay out £12.50.

The Mirror has contacted TfL for comment.

Ryan Merrifield