Relief for drivers as Sadiq Khan’s plans to expand ULEZ zone and charge more drivers £12.50 under threat

SADIQ Khan's plans to expand the hated ULEZ zones across London could be thwarted - raising hope for hard-up drivers.

Five Tory-led councils were given the green light to launch legal action over extending the low emission zones to more areas in August.

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The High Court has said the coalition of councils - Bromley, Harrow, Bexley, Hillington and Surrey - were able to challenge the policy with a judicial review.

But the Mayor has vowed to challenge it and insisted the plans will carry on regardless.

The current scheme covers all parts of central London and main inner London boroughs.

But he wants to expand the zones - where dirty vehicles will have to pay a daily charge of £12.50 - to every single London borough - from Enfield in the North to the south parts of Bromley.

The hearing is set to take place in July, and will look at whether there is a legal basis for the scheme.

And it will challenge whether Mr Khan has the powers to expand the plan rather than ordering a new one.

The court case could mean the August 29 change is kicked back.

Tim Oliver, leader of Surrey County Council, said: "The impact on Surrey's residents and businesses has been ignored by the mayor and it's frankly disgraceful that it's taken legal proceedings to have our voices heard."

And Nick Rogers AM, the City Hall Conservatives transport spokesperson, said: "The mayor clearly does not have the legal grounds to proceed with his ULEZ tax plans, which take money from charities, small businesses and low income Londoners who cannot afford a new car."

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A spokesperson for the Mayor said: "We will continue to robustly defend his life-saving decision to expand the ULEZ and continue with preparations without delay.

“It is a shame that some local authorities have chosen to attempt this costly and misguided legal challenge instead of focusing on the health of those they represent.

"Around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely every year due to air pollution."

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