Pollution zone ‘could be Khan’s poll tax’

A NEW pollution charge covering swathes of London is expected to hit a million drivers and raise six times as much as the congestion charge.

Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed the Ultra Low Emission Zone being introduced in Central London next year will stretch to cover an area surrounded by the North and South Circular roads from October 2021. The £12.50-a-day fee means Transport for London will collect between £700million and £1.5billion a year, compared with £230million from the congestion charge. Gareth Bacon, leader of the Tories on the London Assembly, told The Sunday Times: ‘This could be Sadiq’s poll tax. People do not know what is going to hit them.’ An additional 100,000 cars, 35,000 vans and 3,000 lorries could be affected by the expanded zone each day, estimates show.

Nicholas Lyes, of the RAC, has said the expansion gives little time for residents and small business owners to purchase vehicles compliant with new emission standards.