London-wide Assembly Member Emma Best AM has warned that the cost of Sadiq Khan's Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion could spiral after the Mayor claimed only 750 extra cameras were needed.
The ULEZ charge will expand from central London to the North and South Circular roads on the 25th of October 2021. According to City Hall, the expansion will cost £130 million and only 750 new enforcement cameras will be needed, each costing between £10,000 and £15,000.
However, Transport for London use 650 cameras to police existing zone which is 18 times smaller than Khan's ULEZ expansion plan.
Emma Best AM commented: "Expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone won't only hit struggling Londoners, charities and businesses, but it also comes with a huge hidden cost for the taxpayer as well. "There's a real risk that the cost of expanding ULEZ could run even higher. Many Londoners will only make short journeys within the zone, and if the Mayor plans to catch them all, he may need more cameras. At up to £15,000 a site, the bill could quickly add up. So even if Londoners avoid the charge, their taxes will end up paying for it anyway.
"With the vast majority of uncompliant vehicles expected to be off the road by 2030 at the latest, it also begs the question of what happens with this huge investment in ULEZ in the future."
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