London Mayor’s improvement for ULEZ scrappage scheme ‘falls short’ says The Council

A promise by the London mayor to improve the scrappage scheme linked to the expansion of ULEZ , bringing in the borough, does not go far enough, say Council chiefs.

Sadiq Khan has announced expansion of the £110m scrappage scheme from end of July, meaning thousands more Londoners and businesses can subsidise the switch to a greener less polluting vehicle.

The changes mean that all Londoners receiving child benefit will be able to apply.

At the same time, small businesses registered in London with fewer than 50 employees – not just sole traders and micro businesses – will be eligible.

Charities operating in London will be allowed to scrap or retrofit up to three vans or minibuses instead of just one. And care workers who need support will get targeted help.

Sadiq Khan has announced expansion of the £110m scrappage scheme from end of July

However, south west London Transport chief, Cllr Alexander Ehmann, said these improvements do not go far enough to ensure the scheme, which comes into effect in August, does not cause real harm to people who need their cars for essential journeys.

In theory, only one in 10 cars in the capital will be hit with the daily £12.50 ULEZ charge because of the emissions they produce. However, drivers in Richmond, which has the highest car ownership per household in London, are likely to be particularly hard hit.

In making his announcement, the London mayor praised the fact that Richmond council is offering some extra support to residents to help them move away from polluting cars.

Cllr Ehmann, Chair of Richmond's Transport and Air Quality Committee.

The Good Move Scheme offers residents a number of options to help save money and use greener, cleaner forms of transport. These include discounted bikes and cargo bikes, free car club memberships and free Oyster card credit to use on tube, buses and local train services.

Cllr Ehmann, who is chair of Richmond's Transport and Air Quality Committee, said: "Of course, we're glad Richmond Council has been singled out for its progressive local support package, but compliments won't obscure the fact that the Transport for London scrappage scheme is still too little, and very nearly too late.

Drivers in Richmond, which has the highest car ownership per household in London, are likely to be particularly hard hit.

"Earlier this year we called on the Mayor to postpone the ULEZ expansion and work-up a scrappage scheme that gives support to those that do not currently receive any kind of state benefit but are seriously struggling and cannot afford the large cost of a new car.

"We also supported more comprehensive proposals that were tabled within the GLA, to double the scheme from £100million to over £200 million, but these plans were rejected.

"Mark Twain once said 'I can live for two months on a good compliment', but our residents can't live on compliments alone. They need a comprehensive TfL scrappage scheme and serious investment in outer London public transport. We're still waiting."