BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL has called for the plan to extend the controversial London emission zone to be scrapped.

Currently, the vehicle pollution measure Ultra Low Emission Zone and the Congestion Charge Zone areas cover 14 central London boroughs.

The proposed extension to include all London boroughs from August 29 2023 would stretch the ULEZ on the home counties’ border, including Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

Concerned about the impact of the plan on Buckinghamshire roads, Bucks Council has asked the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to scrap the expansion or reconsider it amid concern for rising costs for commuter residents.

Buckinghamshire Council’s cabinet member for transport Steven Broadbent said: “We are also concerned about the potential increased number of vehicles redirecting onto our local roads to avoid entering the ULEZ.

“Not only does this impact on traffic and road surfaces, it also has the potential to see more polluting vehicles travelling on our roads, worsening air quality for our residents.

“Buckinghamshire residents are being expected to absorb the adverse impacts of the scheme without any financial support or assistance from TfL [Transport for London]. This is unacceptable.”

Vehicles that do not meet the emission standards face a daily charge of £12.50 when they enter the ULEZ.

He added: “We support intentions to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions and have our own strong plan to achieve this, but we don’t believe this is being carried out in the right way through the ULEZ expansion proposal and we have serious concerns about the impacts this expansion will have on both our residents and our roads.”

Residents commuting to Greater London area were already facing the impact of the cost of living pressures, the Council said.

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Data from the London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory in 2019 showed that despite improvements on emissions, road transport is the biggest contributor of nitrogen dioxide and toxic particles in Greater London.

Mr Broadbent added: “The consultation exercises you have undertaken have shown that communities in London do not want this scheme and the same is true for Buckinghamshire. I urge you to reconsider your proposals and scrap the proposed ULEZ expansion.”

The Council has refused to sign an agreement with TfL to allow it to install street signs and cameras on Bucks highways to enforce the ULEZ expansion.

If the ULEZ is expanded, the council demands include for the vehicle scrappage scheme given to Londoners to be expanded to people and businesses in Buckinghamshire, coordination with neighbouring local authorities to expand and improve public transport between London and Buckinghamshire among others, and commitment to that a proportion of revenue from ULEZ will be reinvested to improve transport options in and out of London.