29 August 2023 , 07:49
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More than a dozen ULEZ cameras have been vandalised in a single town ahead of the first day of the London-wide expansion.
As of today any vehicles that are not deemed green enough must pay £12.50 to enter the capital. Previously the charge only covered all areas within the North and South Circular Roads. ULEZ is aimed at lowering pollution and emissions levels in London.
But this morning 14 cameras, within a mile and a half stretch on the A224 in Bromley, south east London, had been damaged.
The controversial cameras have been spray painted, smashed or had the wires cut at junctions in Court road and Cray Avenue.
Only two of 16 cameras on the stretch of road had escaped untouched.
Most petrol vehicles introduced earlier than 2005 will be ULEZ chargeable while diesel cars and vans will only be exempt if their engine complies with more recent Euro 6 rules introduced in September 2015. The scheme has sparked noisy protests from some motorists - and was seized upon by the Tories in the recent Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election campaign.
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(SWNS)The Conservatives’ slim victory in the by-election prompted concern from some within Labour, with leader Keir Starmer saying the party needed to “learn the lessons” from their defeat.
The expansion, which is expected to add £2.5million a day to City Hall coffers, has sparked city-wide protests and accusations Mr Khan has "declared war on motorists".
But Mr Khan pressed ahead with the expansion. “It was a very tough decision to expand the zone,” Mr Khan said. “But with toxic air leading to around 4,000 premature deaths each year and our children growing up with stunted lungs, it is the right thing to do.”
A camera has also been damaged in Hatfield, Hertfordshire (PA)The news of the vandalism comes as the TFL website where drivers can check if the have to pay the charge is experiencing technical difficulties. Anyone visiting the website are met with a message saying "Our website is busier than usual. You are now in a queue, and your expected wait time is 4 minute(s). If you prefer not to wait, please try again later."
The caravan was dumped near Sadiq Khan's home in London (PA)On Saturday angry campaigners chained a caravan plastered with slogans denouncing the ULEZ expansion near what is believed to be Mr Khan's home. The group of nine protesters said they needed to do something ‘attention grabbing and effective’ so targeted the street in Tooting, south London.
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Mr Khan has said that he has listened to the "genuine concerns" from Londoners over the scheme. He also said: “It was a very tough decision to expand the zone. But with toxic air leading to around 4,000 premature deaths each year and our children growing up with stunted lungs, it is the right thing to do.
“We’ve already seen huge progress since I announced the expansion. On the eve of the roll out 9 in 10 cars seen driving in the zone on an average day are already compliant and won’t pay a penny. Financial help is available for every single Londoner and small business whose vehicle is not compliant.”