High Court to hear councils’ appeal over planned Ulez expansion

A High court challenge of five Conservative-led councils against Mayor with London Sadiq Khan’s intention to expand the capital’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) will be announced on Tuesday.

The outer London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon together with Surrey County Council in February began litigation over the proposed expansion of Ulez beyond the Northern and Southern Ring Roads.

In April, a High Court judge allowed councils to file a legal challenge, saying some of the local authority’s challenges were “controversial”.

If it goes ahead, from August 29, drivers in the London suburbs will pay a daily charge of £12.50 if their vehicles do not meet the required emissions standards.

New borders will be reached BuckinghamshireEssex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.

Councils involved in the legal challenge believe “relevant statutory requirements” were not met, expected compliance rates in outer London were not considered and the proposed disposal scheme was not considered.

They also argued that the overall consultation process had not been carried out properly and that no cost-benefit analysis of the plan had been carried out.

The High Court allowed the case to proceed on two grounds – the legal basis for the scheme and the refusal.

A spokesman for the mayor said at the time: “The mayor is pleased to see that the court refused permission on most grounds.

“We will continue to strongly defend his life-saving decision to expand Ulez and continue preparations without delay.

“It is unfortunate that some local authorities have decided to try this expensive and misguided legal challenge instead of focusing on the health of those they represent.

“Around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely every year because of air pollution.

“This is a health emergency and the Mayor is not prepared to stand by and do nothing while Londoners grow up with stunted lungs and are at greater risk of heart disease, cancer and dementia because of our toxic air.”

A hearing before Judge Swift is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, and the judge is expected to issue his ruling at a later date.