Sadiq Khan plots ‘pay-as-you-drive’ scheme using Ulez cameras

Sadiq Khan has asked Transport for London to look into using ULEZ cameras to charge car users in a pay-as-you-drive scheme in the capital.

The Mayor of London has faced a backlash over the extension to Outer London, which will see millions more charged £12.50 a day for using pollutants from August.

Amid growing signs of unrest within Khan’s own Labor party, Tory MPs have vociferously criticized the scheme, with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson accusing the mayor of “bringing in money from motorists”.

But Mr Khan has now admitted that Transport for London is also looking into developing a scheme in which more ‘advanced technology’ could be used to charge road users, The Telegraph reports.

Speaking at the London Assembly this week in response to a question, he added: “ANPR cameras could be part of the possible workings of such a plan, but no proposals have been developed.”

Tory MPs, as well as growing signs of unrest within Mr Khan’s own party, have voiced their criticism of the ULEZ expansion

As part of the ULEZ expansion, TfL plans to install approximately 2,750 additional cameras – with 300 already installed in some boroughs.

But Tory members of the London Assembly claim Mr Khan’s response is indicative of his plans to use the camera network to introduce road charges.

Khan has previously revealed that he wants to impose a network of ‘Singapore-esque’ toll roads across London as part of efforts to improve air quality in the capital.

He said the “closest comparator” for its road user charging plans was Singapore, which has “electronic mileage charging,” which uses sensors attached to gantries above major roads to capture number plates.

These sensors keep track of what time drivers use certain roads and charge tolls on that basis, for example that rush-hour traffic on a busy road is more expensive.

But this change is currently not possible in London because ‘the technology is not there’

However, cameras introduced as part of the ULEZ expansion could be used to monitor the distances drivers travel, where they travel and the level of emissions from their vehicles – with fears that drivers will be charged per kilometre.

It comes as City Hall’s transport committee launched a consultation last month on the “possible introduction of variable or distance-based smarter charging for road users.”

The scope of the consultation adds: ‘For Londoners, the potential introduction of variable or distance-based smarter charging for road users would represent the biggest change in the way daily transport is paid for since the introduction of Oyster and the Congestion Charge nearly 20 years ago. past. ‘

And at a meeting of the city hall transport committee on Tuesday, TfL’s strategic director Christina Calderato said it was keen to move forward with the plan at the “as early stage as possible.”

Protesters took to the streets of London calling for a halt to proposed ‘Khanage’

A mayor’s response last week would have said the latest introduction of a new system should be by the end of the decade at the latest, while TfL started hiring software engineers last summer.

But a spokesman for Mr Khan said the road user charging scheme is just one of many options being assessed and will look at the availability of public transport in the affected area, along with employment and income.

A statement added: “Any formal proposals that could be developed in the future would be subject to consultation with information provided on detailed settlement proposals and their likely impact.”

It comes as enraged motorists slapped the mayor earlier this week after he labeled some ULEZ opponents as “far right” and “Covid deniers.”

The mayor of London was holding popular question time in Ealing, west London, on Thursday evening as an extraordinary confrontation developed.

During the ill-tempered session, Mr Khan said: “Some of you have good reasons to oppose Ulez, but you are in a coalition with the Covid deniers… Right. And you are also in a coalition with vaccine deniers.’