UK TREND : Sadiq Khan faces high court challenge over ULEZ expansion

13 April 2023

After a ruling allowed councils to move forward, a legal challenge to the expansion of London’s ultra-low emission zone will be heard in the high court later this year.

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of the city, vowed to continue with his plans to extend the Ulez despite opposition, claiming that doing so is necessary to combat the toxic air that he has claimed is to blame for thousands of preventable deaths each year.

Following the news, members of the public who had previously voiced opposition to the ULEZ expansion plans took to Twitter to express their joy at the development. On social media, the hashtag #ULEZ has been trending.

ULEZ expansion

https://twitter.com/yorkspride/status/1646244208938999808?s=20

Nick Rogers tweeted that “ the Mayor must immediately halt all work on ULEZ expansion and prepare to explain his actions in court”.

The Mayor must immediately halt all work on ULEZ expansion and prepare to explain his actions in court.

Well done to those Conservative councils bringing the case. https://t.co/JuY0TMEFLn

— Nick Rogers AM (@NickRogersLDN) April 12, 2023

Indivduals all over the UK were celebrating the news, particularly members of the councils that pushed for the case to be taken to court, “led by Hillingdon and supported by Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Surrey”. People were happy with the win “ as the first stage of the legal battle against ULEZ has been achieved as the case will now be heard in the court”.

ULEZ WIN FOR HILLINGDON COUNCIL
The first stage of the legal battle against ULEZ. The case will be heard. This has been led by Hillingdon and supported by Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Surrey.
The case is pencilled in for July.
The Mayor is going to be furious!#ULEZExpansion pic.twitter.com/zZqmBJ5XzY

— King Arthur (@Antipolluters) April 12, 2023

Member of parliament Gareth Bacon tweeted that “ he is delighted that the five local authorities’, including Bromley, challenging ULEZ in the courts, have won the first stage in their legal battle against Sadiq Khans decision.”

I am delighted that the five local authorities, including Bromley, challenging ULEZ in the courts, have won the first stage in their legal battle against Sadiq Khan's decision.

While the full legal case is still to be fought, today's decision is a significant step forward. 1/5

— Gareth Bacon MP (@GarethBaconMP) April 12, 2023

People also shared that they understood when “ ULEZ was introduced in central London as it was an effective measure in tackling air quality, and there’s great transport links in inner London. However, they are frustrated now as it is being expanded to boroughs outside of the capital where public transport is limited”.

Central London is easy to get to on public transport but this is the whole point, now he’s expanding ULEZ to boroughs outside of the capital where it’s not as easy. So many of us rely on cars because its so difficult to reach some of these places by public transport.

— dan (@dan_90n) April 12, 2023

ULEZ was an effective measure in tackling air quality in inner London, where they have great transport links.

Constituencies, like mine, don’t. P.S. I wasn’t on the London Assembly when Boris was Mayor.

— Cllr. Keith Prince A.M. (@KeithPrinceAM) April 12, 2023

There were some people who couldn’t decide whether to support or oppose the ULEZ plans because each side has valid points to make. One twitter user shared “ torn on ULEZ. As someone who has respiratory problems which hospitalised me with pneumonia three times, I can sympathise with pro ULEZ arguments. But as a disabled person, I can also sympathise with people who cannot afford the new charges and who need public transport to get around”.

Torn on ULEZ. As someone who has respiratory problems which hospitalised me with pneumonia x3, I can sympathise with pro ULEZ arguments but as a disabled person I can also sympathise with people who can’t afford the new charges and who need public transport to get around.

— alice⁷ ☭ (@realtraibeaga) April 12, 2023