ULEZ expansion met with chaos and controversy
The expansion of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has been met with chaos and controversy, with cameras being vandalised, the number plate checker website crashing, and councils refusing to put up signage.
The ULEZ expansion, which came into effect at midnight on August 29, now covers all of Greater London. This means that drivers of certain vehicles, including petrol cars registered before 2005 and diesel cars and vans registered before 2015, will have to pay £12.50 a day to drive within the zone.
The expansion has been met with strong opposition from motorists and some councils, who argue that it is unfair and will disproportionately impact low-income drivers. There have also been concerns that the expansion will not do enough to improve air quality in the capital.
In the early hours of August 30, a number of ULEZ cameras were vandalised in south and west London. Some cameras had their lenses sprayed with paint, while others had their wires cut. In some cases, the cameras were completely demolished.
The number plate checker website, which allows motorists to see if their vehicle is liable to pay the ULEZ charge, also crashed due to high demand. The website was eventually restored, but motorists reported long wait times.
Several councils bordering London have refused to put up signage warning drivers that they are about to enter the ULEZ. This has led to concerns that drivers may not be aware of the charge and could be fined as a result.
The RAC has criticised the councils that have refused to put up signage, saying that they are "letting down residents". The RAC has called on the councils to "give in" and put up the signs so that motorists can have advance warning.
The chaos and controversy surrounding the ULEZ expansion has cast a shadow over the scheme. It remains to be seen whether the expansion will achieve its goal of improving air quality in London.
Here are some additional details about the ULEZ expansion:
The expansion is expected to raise £2.5 million a day for Transport for London (TfL).
TfL has offered a scrappage scheme for drivers of non-compliant vehicles, but this is only available to residents of London.
The RAC estimates that around 1.5 million vehicles in Greater London are affected by the ULEZ expansion.
The expansion has been supported by environmental groups, who argue that it is necessary to reduce air pollution in the capital.
However, the expansion has been opposed by some businesses and motorists, who argue that it is unfair and will damage the economy.
The ULEZ expansion is a complex and controversial issue. It remains to be seen whether the scheme will achieve its goal of improving air quality in London, while also being fair to motorists and businesses.
Comments
Post a Comment