Kingston’s mayor: investment in public transport and active travel needed with expansion of ULEZ

The Leader of Kingston Council is calling for better public transport in outer London and more investment in active travel after the Mayor of London’s decision to expand the Ultra Low Emissions Zone.

Councillor Andreas Kirsch – also Chessington South and Malden Rushett Ward councillor – urged Mayor Sadiq Khan to extend the planned scrappage scheme to support more Londoners on low incomes.

Councillor Kirsch said: “This is a hugely disappointing decision – it was rushed and we should have had more time for consultation. The Mayor of London has not listened to what we at Kingston Council, our residents and our businesses have said. He has failed to take into account the particular issues faced by people living in outer London.

“Kingston is committed to improving air quality and encouraging sustainable travel, but bus and train links in outer London boroughs like ours are not good enough for our residents to rely on, and funding for investment in active travel has been cut. We need a real commitment to improving public transport and active travel networks in outer London.

“While we support any initiatives that aim to improve air quality for current and future generations, these must be sensitive to the impact they may have on people’s daily lives. Rushing to expand the ULEZ could leave some of our residents and businesses struggling to cope in the midst of a cost of living crisis. The scrappage scheme must be expanded so that more people on lower incomes can be supported to cope with this change.”