PARTY leaders from both sides of Hillingdon Council chamber joined forces to oppose the Mayor of London's plans to expand the ULEZ emission-free zone.

However, the Greater London Authority voted yesterday (17) to approve Sadiq Khan’s Transport Strategy, which includes plans to expand ULEZ to the outer London boroughs, including Hillingdon.

Hillingdon Council leader Ian Edwards and opposition leader Peter Curling see the plans as a punitive tax on borough residents and businesses.

They say the £12.50 daily charge will hit the poorest families the hardest and would not deliver the environmental benefits claimed.

The Hillingdon leaders suggest an express rail service connecting Uxbridge to the Elizabeth Line stations at West Drayton and Hayes and Harlington, as well as improved bus services, would be far more effective measures in reducing vehicle emissions.

Cllr Edwards said: "Our large, green, borough, with its expanses of open space and woodland doesn't reflect the urban cityscapes, where such interventions are appropriate and where residents are well served by a dense, frequent, public transport network.

"Until there is parity in those public transport options, there can't be parity in ULEZ.”