Charity denied ULEZ exemption
A CHARITY that supports London’s emergency services by taking care of vulnerable people’s dogs will not be granted an exemption to Ultra Low Emissions Zone charges, Sadiq Khan has confirmed.
Dogs on the Streets (DOTS) provides veterinary care for homeless and vulnerable people’s dogs, but says it has been forced to scale back its free, roaming vet services in the capital due to the cost of ULEZ and the congestion charge – coming to £27.50 a day in total.
Running a mobile vet vehicle and another used for transporting dogs has become “almost impossible” in London, the charity’s founder Michelle Clark said.
DOTS has agreements with London’s emergency services, including the Met Police and five London hospitals, to take in dogs when vulnerable people are taken into hospital, custody or emergency housing.
However, despite desperate pleas with TfL and Sadiq Khan’s team, the charity has not been offered an exemption to ULEZ, which City Hall says is essential to reduce air pollution in the capital.
Retrofitting DOTS’ two non-compliant vehicles would cost the charity around £12,000 they say, leaving them forced to pay daily charges instead.
Conservative Assembly Member Neil Garratt said: “It’s clearly a mistake that the mayor’s two-year ULEZ exemption for charity minibuses doesn’t cover charity vans.
“I hope the mayor’s ego doesn’t stop him admitting that and fixing the mistake, because it’s such a simple thing that would make a great difference to the brilliant work that DOTS do – both for the dogs and the people they support.”
Founder Michelle Clark said: “I’m sure we could do a fundraiser for the retrofits, but what grates me so much is that the £12,000 could be spent on supporting our homeless, vulnerable and those suffering from domestic violence. It’s sickening.
“We have pulled back on our services and we’re not taking vet vehicles into London now. We can’t provide all our veterinary care in a safer environment.
“Without the specialised vans, we can’t take lots of food, we can’t take all our essentials – blankets, coats, treats, and toys.
“We can’t carry blood tests or treatments securely on the pavement. So do we stop our vet care altogether and sell the vehicle? Many rough sleepers and vulnerable people will suffer.
“I’m an asthmatic myself, so I understand the rationale for ULEZ. In which case, exempt us from the Congestion Charge. Or they could give us a grant for the retrofit. That would really support us.”
Sadiq Khan told the London Assembly last week: “Since 2017 there has been a wide-reaching awareness campaign to ensure drivers are ready for ULEZ, with more than a million letters to non-compliant vehicles.”
He added there was no exemption for vehicles like DOTS’ vet vans, but that TfL offered funding to eligible charities who operate non compliant vehicles, including via the scrappage scheme.
Mr Khan said: “DOTS chose not to take up these options.
“I’m sorry that a resolution hasn’t been found.
“However, it’s vital we clean up London’s filthy air.”
DOTS says it is untrue that it refused help from TfL or the mayor’s office. The charity is now only occasionally using a Transporter vehicle, and a small Ford Fiesta, as opposed to its previous daily rounds with two fully-kitted vet vans in the capital.