Drivers left ‘suicidal’ as elderly ‘becoming prisoners’ over ULEZ scheme

Drivers have been left feeling ‘frankly suicidal’ over Sadiq Khan’s plans to expand the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ), according to a leading activist. Michelle Chisholm, an Anti-ULEZ campaigner has also warned elderly drivers are ‘becoming prisoners’ at home as a result of the new car tax fees. The new ULEZ expansion will see daily £12.50 fees introduced to areas beyond the North and South Circulars. It will see locals as far as Harrow and Bromely slapped with hefty fees if they drive their vehicles from August 29. Motorists who drive every day could therefore be liable to pay £87.50 per week or around £375 per month. Drivers are frustrated with Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ plan (Image: PA) Chrisholm told GB News : ‘I started reading and researching and the horror stories that I’m reading from the public is frightening, it’s just heartbreaking. ‘There are so many businesses going out of business. We have the elderly becoming prisoners at home. We have people that are quite frankly suicidal.’ ‘I find it frightening that the Mayor is not listening to the public. I’m grateful that finally Rishi Sunak has come out and said he is not anti-motorist. But, to be honest, it is a day-on-day attack on the motorist and I Just think no one’s taking the people into consideration here. ‘I really support our elderly and vulnerable and it’s just frightening that you get to the later part of your life and your being told that basically you have to stay at home to pay £12.50 every day.’ Londoners have displayed their anger at the scheme with further protests against the proposals held outside Downing Street on Saturday. Meanwhile, Labour frontbenchers have blamed ULEZ for costing them the Uxbridge by-election where the Conservatives narrowly held Boris Johnson’s former seat. A Transport for London (TfL) consultation showed that 59 percent were against an increase in the ULEZ zone. Earlier this week, Sadiq Khan confirmed all Londoners would now be able to access £2,000 to help transition away from non-compliant cars. But, the 52-year-old refused to back down over the scheme just weeks before its introduction. Drivers have protested against the scheme (Image: Getty) ULEZ will be expanded later this month (Image: TfL) He told the Press Association: ‘I’m determined to make sure that no Londoner and no London business is left behind and I’ll carry on listening. ‘These policies are policies that are popular when they’re properly explained. I’m quite clear that I’m simply not willing to delay, water down or step back on these vital public health and green policies.’