Majority of drivers oppose charges for polluting cars

Nearly six out of 10 people who have heard of London’s cash charge on polluting vehicles are opposed to it, polling suggests. A survey by BMG polling on behalf of i reveals that 57 per cent of people who knew of London’s ultra-low emissions zone (Ulez) were more likely to be against it. According to the figures, two-thirds – 66 per cent – of the British public had heard about such clean air zones, despite it only being in place in the capital. When informed about the concept of Ulez, respondents were roughly divided, with

36 per cent saying they would be opposed to one being implemented in a city near them, and 37 per cent supportive.

The policy has become a key dividing line in the run-up to the London mayoral elections, in the wake of the Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan’s decision to expand the scheme from inner London to the outer London boroughs, which take in parts of the

Home Counties.

The Tory candidate Susan Hall has made scrapping the policy a key manifesto pledge, vowing to remove it straight away if she wins office.

During a debate on Thursday, Ms Hall said: “I will absolutely get rid of it on day one.”

Mr Khan admitted during the debate that the elections on 2 May will be “judgement day” on his transport policies.

During his tenure several boroughs have implemented 20mph limits and low-traffic neighbourhoods.

The Conservatives believe the campaign against the Ulez expansion was instrumental in the party holding on to its Uxbridge and West Ruislip constituency in last year’s by-election.

The scheme neatly divides both Labour and Tory voters, with half – 51 per cent – of those who voted Conservative in 2019 opposed to it, while 50 per cent of Labour 2019 voters are in favour of it.