![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/i-had-to-take-10k-loan-to-buy-new-van-as-i-live-a-few-feet-outside-ulez/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/crop-23886352.jpg&description=Exclusive 'LEZ MISERABLE Published : 22:25, 9 Sep 2023 Updated : 22:25, 9 Sep 2023 A WINDOW fitter had to take out a £10,000 loan to buy a new van — as he lives a few feet outside Sadiq Khan's ultra-low emission zone. Ian Balm, 47, could not benefit from the scrappage scheme for upgrading his 2008-plate Vauxhall Vivaro . 4 Ian Balm could not benefit from the scrappage scheme for upgrading his 2008-plate Vauxhall Vivaro Credit: Steve Finn 4 Window fitter Ian had to take out a £10,000 loan to buy a new van — as he lives a few feet outside the ultra-low emission zone Credit: Steve Finn 4 Ian said: 'Financially, this has absolutely wrecked us. There's no other way of looking at it' Credit: Steve Finn The self-employed dad of three lives on the side of his street which falls just outside London — so is not eligible and has to meet the full cost himself. He said the £200-a-month repayments on his loan mean he has had to postpone a hip operation and holiday plans. Ian said: 'Financially, this has absolutely wrecked us. There's no other way of looking at it. 'We were already feeling the pinch in every aspect with the cost-of-living crisis. And then Mayor Sadiq Khan comes up with such a stupid idea.' Ian lives in a road on the border between Kent and London . Those on one side of the street are in the borough of Bexley and can benefit from up to £9,500 in scrappage grant . But he is on the Dartford side and cannot claim the cash. He also reckons he got £2,000 less than he should have done selling his old van because it was not Ulez compliant . Ian, married to teaching assistant Andrea, said: 'I'd only had it 18 months. There was nothing wrong with it. "We haven't had a holiday for a few years, so we'd saved up a little bit, but then Ulez kicked in and it was either a holiday or a new van. 'It's had a huge impact on my health as well. I'm waiting for a full hip replacement as mine is deformed. Walking about every day is painful now.' 4 Ian, with wife Andrea, said: 'We were al){kind=link}
A WINDOW fitter had to take out a £10,000 loan to buy a new van – as he lives a few feet outside Sadiq Khan’s ultra-low emission zone.
Ian Balm, 47, could not benefit from the scrappage scheme for upgrading his 2008-plate Vauxhall Vivaro.
The self-employed dad of three lives on the side of his street which falls just outside London – so is not eligible and has to meet the full cost himself.
He said the £200-a-month repayments on his loan mean he has had to postpone a hip operation and holiday plans.
Ian said: “Financially, this has absolutely wrecked us. There’s no other way of looking at it.