A COALITION of five councils, including Hillingdon, today (16) launched a Judicial Review to challenge the Mayor of London’s decision to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to outer London boroughs.

Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon plus Surrey County Council have brought legal action following proposals to expand the scheme this August.

Cllr Ian Edwards, leader of Hillingdon Council, said: “Our position has remained unchanged from when TfL’s plans were first mooted.

“ULEZ is the wrong solution in outer London as it will have negligible or nil impact on air quality but will cause significant social and economic harm to our residents.

“We shared this view in our response to the TfL consultation last summer and we’ve said it since when the plans were confirmed in November. Now, we’ll say it in the courts.  

“We believe Sadiq Khan's decision to impose this scheme on outer London boroughs is unlawful.

“He is spending nearly £260m of public money without any cost benefit analysis. Hillingdon, and the other coalition authorities wouldn’t dream of making decisions in this fashion.

“The predominant effect of ULEZ expansion will be to financially cripple already struggling households, further isolate the elderly and harm our local economy with negligible or no improvement to air quality.

“Investment in improved transport links – on a par with those in areas within the existing ULEZ – is the better way to reduce car use in Hillingdon.”

Cllr Baroness O’Neill, leader of Bexley Council, said: “We believe [the mayor] should give the monies he has allocated to ULEZ to the boroughs who actually understand outer London and the transport connectivity problems our residents face to come up with innovative solutions that will deliver better, more practical results.

“We are standing up for our residents who have given us a clear message of what they think of his plan.”