Angela Rayner admits ULEZ is coming to every town
A new Express.co.uk poll has shown readers strongly oppose the introduction of a pay-per-mile scheme being introduced on London’s roads in the future.
London’s ultra-low emissions zone (ULEZ) is set to be expanded to encompass all boroughs of the capital from August 29, with non-compliant vehicles facing a daily £12.50 charge.
Roads Minister Richard Holden claimed earlier this month that as more vehicles become ULEZ-compliant London Mayor Sadiq Khan could look to introduce a Singapore-style green policy in the capital. The system would use sensors to monitor the distance travelled by vehicles in certain areas and charge them accordingly.
He told MPs on Wednesday, July 12: “I met the acting chief financial officer and Seb Dance, the Deputy Mayor for Transport, yesterday [Tuesday, July 11]. They informed me that the Mayor of London, in anticipation of falling revenues from ULEZ in the next few years, had asked them to investigate the technicalities of introducing road charging across London in the future.”
City Hall rejected the claims, with a spokesperson for Mr Khan clarifying: “This is categorically wrong. Officials actually told the minister the opposite – there is no prospect of it being introduced in the foreseeable future.”
READ MORE: Khan under pressure from furious Londoners demanding referendum on hated ULEZ
In a poll that ran from 9am on Sunday, July 16, to 5.30pm on Wednesday, July 26, Express.co.uk asked readers: “Should Sadiq Khan introduce a pay-per-mile scheme on London roads?”
A total of 1,175 votes were cast with the overwhelming majority of readers, 90 percent (1,059 people), answering “no” against a pay-per-mile scheme. While nine percent (110 people) said “yes” in favour and a further six people said they did not know.
In the comments left below the accompanying article, readers debated the practicality of such a scheme in the capital.
Don’t miss…
Sadiq Khan should quit as Mayor of London over ULEZ expansion, readers say[LATEST]
Sadiq Khan’s rival and newest Tory MP demand ULEZ expansion axed in new letter[EXCLUSIVE]
Voters are finally waking up to net zero’s miserable impact, says Ann Widdecombe[COMMENT]
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
The predominant view was against road users being charged in this way, with username skipper commenting: “There should be no charging of any type for driving on any roads anywhere.”
Similarly, username mreed said: “Vehicle users already pay-per-mile they travel, it’s called fuel duty and the vat on the fuel and the duty, we also pay vehicle excise duty which is supposed to allow us to use our vehicles on the roads, not just cherry picked ones but all roads that are paid for by us again by taxes.”
Username iq310 warned: “Once introduced, pay per mile can be hiked up so the proles can no longer afford cars.”
While username Eurobrit17 remarked: “The only fair way to install ULEZ or pay per mile in any UK city, town, county or country is via voter consent, via a referendum.”
Follow Daily Express on Threads for all the latest news
Mr Khan explained how a potential pay-per-mile scheme would work in the capital to MyLondon earlier this year. He said: “The ultimate destination is a smart road user charging scheme in London. We’ve been looking around the world about what sort of schemes they have. The best one, and it’s a compliment, is Singapore, but it’s not quite what we’re after.
“What we want is a scheme that can treat each driver differently in relation to time you’re driving, the distance you’re driving and if there are good alternatives with public transport and how polluting your vehicle is.
Mr Khan is already under fire for his ULEZ expansion next month but a minority of readers were in favour of more green policies, with username ezergood writing: “When will motorists start paying their way in society?”
Source: Read Full Article