Sara Menai (London correspondent) / Photo credit: HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP
In London, the mayor, Sadiq Khan, will tax the most polluting vehicles more harshly, and this, in a wider area. Restricted to the center of the capital when it was introduced four years ago, the “Ulez” zone, equivalent to the ZFEs in France, will be extended to all of Greater London. But some motorists do not intend to let it go in the capital.
Whistle in the mouth, microphone in hand for some, a yellow vest on the back for others. Since last November, they come from all over the country to meet about twice a month. A few hundred demonstrators of all ages, from all social backgrounds, Conservative voters, but also voters from the Labor Party, a party of which Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, is a member.
10,000 premature deaths due to poor air quality in London
The argument of the anti “Ulez”, equivalent to low emission zones (ZFE) in France, is economic. From Tuesday, cars that are not up to standard will have to pay nearly 15 euros a day to enter the affected area in London, or risk paying a fine of 180 euros.
“Right now, the cost of living makes things very difficult and the introduction of this tax does not help,” said a Londoner. Another adds with annoyance: “I have never protested in my life. But this decision of the town hall makes me so angry.”
Despite criticism, Sadiq Khan defends this tax supposed to improve air quality. The mayor of London, elected in 2016 and who will run for a historic third term next year, has made air pollution a public health issue. He estimates that each year, nearly 10,000 premature deaths in the capital are attributed to poor air quality.