Ulez Protest Featuring Tractors and Three-Wheel Car Brings Traffic to a Standstill

Protesters halted traffic on the outskirts of London in opposition to Sadiq Khan’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone, ahead of its expansion to cover the whole city. The Evening Standard has the story.

Tractors, a taxi and a three-wheel car were seen spiralling around a roundabout at Orpington War Memorial, South East London, while protesters shouted into megaphones and blew whistles.

The Ulez expansion will see drivers in outer London pay a £12.50 daily fee from August 29th if their vehicles do not meet required emissions standards.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last month urged London Mayor Sadiq Khan to “think twice” about Ulez expansion, while on Monday, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer suggested cities should look at other options for tackling air pollution.

Mr. Khan has previously admitted his decision to expand the Ulez was “very difficult” but insisted it would “see five million more Londoners being able to breathe cleaner air”.

Orpington locals Alex Hart, 65, and his wife Cheryl Hart, 61, were among protesters on the edge of London.

The pair are worried they could have to spend up to £40,000 to replace their car.

Mr. Hart said: “I have never protested about anything until this. I have got a car which is a Volvo C30. It’s diesel because I was told by my Government that diesel was the environmentally friendly thing to do. I now have to get rid of it.”

Worth reading in full.