The Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), introduced in 2019 in a core congested area of London to reduce air pollution from traffic, will now be extended to the whole of Greater London after an initial expansion in 2021. For this purpose, cameras are installed over a large area: anyone who passes them with an “environmentally harmful” car has to pay £12.50 (currently 14.65 euros) – and that too every time. Day. Like 15-minute cities, disobedient citizens will be punished and exempted. The public opposes.
The fight against motorized private transport in London is entering the next phase. Controversial Islamic mayor Sadiq Khan, who believes white families do not represent true Londoners, is now planning to extend the hated ULEZ to Greater London. The fact that many people depend on their vehicle in everyday life, but cannot afford to buy a new “eco-friendly” car given the rising cost of living, is of no interest to them. Khan said it was about Londoners “breathing in cleaner air”.
workers broke cameras
People are now on barricades. From 29 August, a charge of £12.50 a day will come into effect for vehicles that do not meet certain emissions standards (mainly diesel vehicles and older petrol vehicles) – special ULEZ cameras are already in place everywhere. Even in cul-de-sacs in small residential areas, they are installed so that residents must pay a fee as soon as they dare to step out of their driveway. A group of activists has already formed that destroys or dismantles these cameras – they are called “Blade Runners”. He announced in July that he would not rest until all ULEZ cameras were turned off, and he still receives applause for this.
Citizens are desperate and protesting
Residents are voicing their anger at the recent demonstrations seen in Orpington, south-east London, where a tractor, a taxi and a three-wheeler disrupted traffic yesterday. Speaking to the Evening Standard, one protester argued:
“I have never opposed anything before. I have a car, Volvo C30. It’s diesel because my government told me diesel is the green solution. I have to get rid of it now. The car is from 2010 but has been regularly serviced and maintained. We travel to visit our kids in Cornwall, we recently moved to Suffolk. It’s great, but now Mayor Khan is asking me to get rid of it. Soon we will not have cars or we will not have to pay taxes, which is completely unfair.
One 60-year-old protester also said that she drives an 18-year-old, low-mileage diesel BMW in near-perfect condition – which she bought at the time because diesel was still considered the better option. “Why should I get rid of him? There’s nothing wrong with that.” Any true environmentalist knows that the mass purchase of new vehicles due to such political pressure is far worse for the environment than people sticking with their old vehicles – sustainability is the same. does work
An 88-year-old man told the protest that he was relying on his 23-year-old rower because his wife was suffering from severe osteoarthritis: “She can’t walk more than 10 meters now. She is waiting for a new knee. I can’t afford to change our car. It is in very good condition. Our car cost around £21,000 in 2000 with all the extras. The car is in impeccable condition for this year. He lamented that the ULEZ expansion would affect many citizens and business people as well – an absurdity given the cost of living crisis and the rising prices of electricity and food.
Many protesters believe that this ULEZ expansion will be only the beginning. “It is a money grab. I think this is the thin end of a bigger problem as it will not stay with ULEZ,” said a protester. As motorized personal transport is increasingly demonized by the global agenda, London ULEZs and the first “15-minute cities” may indeed be just the beginning…
