Hertfordshire’s 10 Conservative MPs have spoken out following the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which came into force yesterday (August 29).
The MPs have unanimously backed Hertfordshire County Council Leader Richard Roberts’ opposition to the ULEZ expansion and to any ULEZ infrastructure being installed in the county.
Sir Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, said: “Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ expansion has a disproportionate impact on small businesses and working people from Hertfordshire who travel regularly to outer London – a nurse at Mount Vernon or an airport-worker at Heathrow.
“It has cost a staggering £130million to set up, yet over 90 per cent of vehicles are exempt as they meet ULEZ standards anyway. This is a cynical tax by Mayor Khan, that will not deliver the health benefits desired, but will financially hit people who do not live in London and did not vote for him or his scheme.”
Dean Russell, MP for Watford, said: “The ULEZ extension will have a huge impact on Watford residents, particularly small businesses and those on low incomes, who need to travel into nearby London boroughs. Nobody in Watford has had the opportunity to vote for this London Mayor, yet they are having to pay his hugely regressive new tax.”
Gagan Mohindra, South West Hertfordshire MP, said: “At a time when prices are rising and household budgets are already under strain, the decision by the Labour Mayor of London to expand the ULEZ will further stretch the finances of those who commute from Hertfordshire for work, education and to make important appointments. I am greatly concerned about how this may negatively affect emergency workers and those on low incomes in inner city areas when household budgets are already under strain.
“I believe it is morally wrong for my constituents, who were unable to vote for the London Mayor, to be subject to this form of taxation by Mayor Khan, and I fully support the decision by Hertfordshire County Council Leader Richard Roberts in his refusal to permit signs for Mayor Khan’s ULEZ to be installed in Hertfordshire.”
Oliver Dowden CBE, Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Hertsmere, also expressed his opposition to the scheme.
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