On paper the notion of ’15-minute cities,’ as it is described, sounds like a terrific concept. Even then, the grant is typically only £2000 which would not be enough in many cases to purchase an appropriate ULEZ-compliant replacement vehicle. There is a scrappage scheme, however it’s only available on the basis of meeting certain criteria, such as receiving benefits and disability allowances. ‘Modern classics’ from the mid-80s and 90s will have to pay the ULEZ charge. Classic car owners, clubs, events and even supporting industry within the M25 area will also be impacted, as only cars older than 40 years, and registered as historic vehicles, are exempt. For example, workers at Heathrow Airport (which will fall into the zone) have already complained, social care will be impacted as care-workers and family members will struggle with the daily charge, plus businesses and particularly tradesmen (many running older diesel vans) warn they will struggle to pass on the costs to customers, and possibly have to limit or even fold their businesses. Set against an investment of over £350 million (£250m to set up the infrastructure for enforcing ULEZ, and £110m for a scrappage scheme), many argue the money would be better used in other ways, such as improving public transport.īecause of the much sparser public transport connectivity in outer London, some parts of which are positively rural in nature, the expansion will hit the poorest hardest as they tend to run older, often diesel, cars that they need in order to get around. While there are proven air quality benefits to the current ULEZ areas, Transport for London’s (TFL) own report confirms that the benefits of extending it further are marginal at best. In November of 2022, it was announced that it would further expand to cover the whole of Greater London, which in some cases extends zone right up to the M25 Ring Road. ULEZ was expanded to the rest of Inner London, up to the North and South Circular Roads in October 2021. If your car doesn’t meet that criteria, you have to pay a £12.50 daily charge to drive it there. You’re okay to take a ULEZ-compliant car into the zone (petrol cars with Euro 4 Emissions standards, typically from 2005 onwards and diesel cars with Euro 6 standards which were applied from 2015). The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was introduced in Central London, in April 2019 to operate in addition to the existing Congestion Charging Zone. Leaving aside the conundrum of the car itself (whether it truly is our friend or foe), what of the restrictions themselves? What are they, what do they mean for you, and could they be misguided? Critics argue that they are ineffective in addressing the underlying problems, and in some cases, even exacerbate them. Well-meaning legislation, programmes and trial projects seek to curtail the would-be catastrophic side effects on urban societies of the mechanised marvels, and address the problems of urban congestion and air pollution. Not just the obvious cash cost of owning and running a vehicle, but the carbon footprint of producing it, the emissions and particulate pollution resulting from using it, and the literal carnage should, God forbid, things go badly wrong. It could be a vehicle of passion, a mood-changer, a distraction, a fun pastime – indeed going for a drive, just for the heck of it, is proven to be therapeutic.īut that freedom comes at a price. It can transport you on adventures, show you the world, or retrace your route down memory lane. It’s a beast of burden to take you, your family and friends and your stuff to anywhere, any time. The car is under attack, and some would argue that freedom of movement, ease of travel and civil liberties could be collateral damage.Ī personal car might spend as much as 95% of its time parked up, but when it’s go-time, it transforms from a static object to a mobile companion you can depend on, confide in and call upon when in need. You may not have noticed, but there’s a silent battle taking place on our streets.
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