Beaconsfield mayor slams ULEZ expansion near Buckinghamshire

Beaconsfield mayor Alastair Pike and Buckinghamshire drivers have criticised the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s decision to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone near the M25.

The zone, designed to curb air pollution released by car engines in the capital, will expand to all London boroughs from August 29.

After this date drivers with vehicles that don’t meet the ULEZ standards will have to pay £12.50 when entering the zone, including commuters from Buckinghamshire.

Although there are currently no plans to bring ULEZ to Buckinghamshire, its expansion close to the county border was likely to hit some residents.

Mr Pike said: "The expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone to the Bucks border raises issues not only for local residents travelling into affected areas but also for the County's roads as non-residents begin to make changes to their travel routes.

READ MORE: Wycombe MP Steve Baker calls out ULEZ expansion to Bucks border

“Although air pollution contributes to the premature death of thousands in outer London areas, penalising a small number by almost £3,000 per year is unreasonable. 

"Helping to clear up London's air is hardly the problem of those in Manchester or Birmingham but in my opinion the existing ULEZ zone should remain unchanged.

"As it stands the zone is meaningful and if revenue is insufficient, then make the case for changes in central government allocation, as todays problem in London will be tomorrow's problem in the provinces."

What drivers think of ULEZ

High Wycombe resident Mel Saunders slammed the zone as a “disgusting moneymaking con.”

The pensioner was facing the £12.50 charge to visit his daughter in London.

“What do we pay excise license fees for?” he asked.

Peter Woolcock from Denham Green was “very unhappy” about ULEZ coming near his doorstep.

He said: “Living in Denham Green means it's going to cost £12.50 to shop in Uxbridge or catch the Metropolitan line. About 10 minutes’ drive.”

Where the ULEZ border will be near Denham (Image: Transport for London/ Google Maps)

Pensioner Christine Pascoe from Slough said: “It's a money-making scheme. Unjustified and unnecessary in outer London, and using selective statistics. It will destroy small businesses, and have a terrible impact on people such as carers.”

She bought her diesel car with a “brilliant” engine ten years ago because “we were encouraged to do so at the time.”

“I go to Heathrow a lot to collect and drop off visiting family, and also visit people in Hillingdon,” she said.

Aylesbury resident David Day, who visits Enfield in Greater London occasionally, called ULEZ “ridiculous.”

“Is there an invisible wall that will prevent fumes crossing the border?” he asked.