Angry anti-ULEZ protesters stage a rally in Trafalgar Square as they demand Sadiq Khan be ‘sacked’ over controversial expansion plans
Protesters took to the streets of London today, calling for the proposed ‘Khanage’ Ultra Low Emission Zone to be halted.
Hundreds of activists campaigned in Trafalgar Square this morning amid backlash against plans that will see Londoners pay £12.50 a day to drive polluting cars.
Among the crowd was Piers Corbyn, brother of former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was holding an information banner reading ‘BREAK Sadiq Khan!’, ‘I can’t pay! I won’t pay!
Others were armed with signs demanding the sacking of the mayor of London, and children were also seen holding signs against the plan.
The protests come as the city prepares to expand the ULEZ as part of a mission to tackle climate change.
Protesters took to the streets of London calling for the proposed ‘Khanage’ to be stopped
In the crowd was Piers Corbyn (pictured), brother of former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Some protesters were armed with banners demanding the sacking of the mayor of London
Although the scheme has been celebrated as a way to tackle pollution, it has been criticized for putting even more pressure on those grappling with the cost of living crisis.
Council leaders have also raised concerns about the London mayor’s proposal, which is expected to come into force from August.
In January, Barking and Dagenham Borough Leader Darren Rodwell said the plan “must take full account of how people will be affected financially.”
He tweeted: ‘As part of the mayor’s consultation last summer, the council raised concerns on behalf of the residents and businesses that will be affected by the ULEZ expansion.
“We must take air quality seriously, but any initiative must take full account of how people will be affected financially and must do everything possible to mitigate that.”
Barking and Dagenham council is just one of several London authorities that have raised concerns about the expansion of ULEZ.
Bromley council leader Colin Smith said his borough would work together with Harrow, Bexley and Hillingdon to “examine the legal basis” for the ULEZ expansion.
Croydon, Sutton, Bromley, Bexley, Havering and Kingston have also expressed willingness to challenge Council over the controversial scheme which will see around 200,000 motorists with older vehicles receive daily charges of £12.50.
The protests come as the City of London prepares for the extension of the ULEZ
A van was pictured with ‘Stop ULEZ’ on its bonnet as hundreds of campaigners campaigned in Trafalgar Square this morning.
The ultra-low emission zone will be extended in August to cover all of Greater London, here in purple.
Both Sutton and Harrow have previously said they will refuse to sign ‘Section 8’ deals that will allow TfL to install cameras on roads under council control.
Meanwhile, Sadiq Khan has also been accused of heaping more misery on Londoners with rising Transport for London costs.
In January, the mayor unveiled proposals to increase Transport for London fares by almost six per cent from March and council tax bills by £38.55 a year to fund more PCSOs.
Passengers will now have to pay £2.80 for a zone 1 rush hour ticket (a 12% increase) and £2.70 off-peak. Most other single fares will increase by 10p. Bus fares will rise by 10p to £1.75, while a weekly bus and tram pass will fetch £24.70, an increase of £1.40.
Matthew Goodwin-Freeman, a Conservative councilor on Harrow City Council, criticized the plans, saying the mayor was “putting a price on Londoners outside of London.”
