 Five Conservative-led councils have lost their High Court challenge against Mayor of London Sadiq Khan's plans to expand the capital's ultra low emission zone (Ulez). The outer London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon along with Surrey County Council challenged the proposed extension to cover the whole of London from next month. Their lawyers argued the Labour mayor lacked the legal power to order the expansion of the zone by varying existing regulations. Craig Howell Williams KC said there was an 'unfair and unlawful' approach to collecting views on the plans and that 'key information… was not disclosed' during previous consultation. He added that plans for a £110 million scheme to provide grants supporting the scrapping of non-Ulez compliant vehicles were also unlawful because a 'buffer zone' for 'non-Londoners' affected by the extended charging zone was not considered. But the mayor's legal team rejected the bid to quash his November 2022 decision to extend Ulez, arguing the move was 'entirely lawful' and that 'ample information' was provided for a 'fair consultation'. Ben Jaffey KC, representing the mayor and Transport for London (TfL) – an interested party in the case – said its 'primary objective' was 'to improve London's air quality, in particular reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates'. The barrister said Mr Khan's decisions 'will help to get London's air quality closer to legal limits, where they are exceeded, and World Health Organisation guideline levels everywhere'. If it goes ahead, ULEZ will see drivers in outer London pay a £12.50 daily fee from August 29 (Picture: PA) The plans would see the zone expanded to cover the whole of London (Picture: Metro) In a ruling on Friday, Mr Justice Swift dismissed the councils' case. Giving a summary, the judge said: 'I am satisfied that the mayor's decision to expand the Ulez area by amendment of the pr){kind=link}
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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has vowed to push ahead with his expansion of the capital’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) after seeing off a High Court challenge by five Conservative-led councils.
The outer London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon along with Surrey County Council challenged the proposed extension to cover the whole of London from next month.
Mr Khan said the Ulez scheme will be expanded as planned following the ‘landmark’ decision in the High Court.
The local authority’s lawyers argued the Labour mayor lacked the legal power to order the expansion of the zone by varying existing regulations.