LONDON: London’s Ultra-Low Emission Zone expanded on Tuesday to become the largest pollution charging scheme in the world but prompting protests from those angry at the extra financial burden during a cost-of-living crisis.

The city’s mayor Sadiq Khan is pressing ahead with the politically charged extension across Greater London, arguing it will help clean up the British capital’s air.

However, he has faced a fierce backlash from many living in and around the newly encompassed areas since unveiling the plans last year, with critics arguing the scheme is more concerned with raising revenue.

The contentious move also has national political implications, after it was blamed for costing Khan’s main opposition Labour party victory in a by-election last month in former prime minister Boris Johnson’s old parliamentary seat.

Khan had reportedly come under pressure from Labour leader Keir Starmer to stall or U-turn on the plans but refused.

A High Court challenge brought by several outer London local authorities also failed to stop its expansion.

“The policy to clean the air in London is not anti-car or anti-motorist,” the mayor said on Tuesday, as he faced fresh protests. “We now have a really effective policy to reduce air pollution,” he told the BBC.

London’s Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) mirrors similar low-emission zones to improve air quality in more than 200 cities in 10 countries across Europe.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2023