Wycombe MP Steve Baker calls out ULEZ expansion to Bucks border

The Mayor of London has now confirmed the controversial Ultra Low Emission Zone will be extended to Buckinghamshire border from August 29 to curb air pollution in the capital.

ULEZ will include all London boroughs from August 29, including those neighbouring Bucks despite opposition from Buckinghamshire leaders.

Wycombe MP Steve Baker told Bucks Free Press: “The ULEZ expansion is a money grab from the mayor, plain and simple.

“I’ve worked closely with colleagues in the London Assembly and they’re very clear that the argument for ULEZ in the centre of the city is uncontroversial.

The ULEZ area will expand across all of Greater London, including Heathrow and Uxbridge (Image: PA/Transport for London)

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“Air quality is improved to benefit millions by having emission control in the centre of London.

“But by the time you get to Heathrow the arguments don’t stack up."

Drivers entering areas such as Uxbridge from Denham along the M40 and A40, South Harefield from Denham Garden Village or Heathrow from the M25 could face a daily charge of £12.50 if their vehicle doesn’t meet the ULEZ emission standards.

A Wycombe man travelling to Heathrow for work during times outside of public transport was facing an “absolutely disastrous” financial situation due to ULEZ expansion because he could only afford an older van, Mr Baker told.

“It’s for people like that we should be standing up - people who work hard to make ends meet, struggle to make ends meet because the costs are high in Wycombe and then have a cash grab by the mayor of London.

The Conservative MP, who is also the Minister for Northern Ireland, said he wasn’t aware of any plans to expand ULEZ to High Wycombe.

Buckinghamshire Council’s deputy cabinet member for HS2/EWR Peter Martin commented: “Buckinghamshire Council continues to call for the planned expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London to be scrapped.

“We support the intentions to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions but we don’t believe this is being carried out in the right way and we have serious concerns about the impacts this expansion will have on both our residents and roads.

“Not only do the proposals have the potential to increase the number of vehicles on our local roads, causing more traffic, negative impact on road surfaces and worsening air quality for our residents, Buckinghamshire residents are also being expected to absorb the adverse impacts of the scheme yet are being offered no financial support or assistance which is both unfair and unacceptable.”