Sutton Lib Dems slam out-of-touch ULEZ expansion

Following Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan’s announcement that he will push ahead with the ULEZ expansion, despite the objections of many residents and boroughs in outer London, the Sutton Lib Dems have slammed the Mayor for being “out of touch”.

Sutton Lib Dem Leader, Councillor Ruth Dombey, urged the Mayor to reconsider his proposals back in February of this year before formally responding to the consultation in August with the Borough’s objections.

Sutton Liberal Democrats called for a delay to allow for the introduction of a proper scrappage scheme to help people change their vehicles and demanded proper investment in public transport in the borough.

Instead, the Mayor’s decision comes alongside a woefully inadequate scrappage scheme, a small commitment to change a couple of bus routes and the ludicrous decision to plough on with the expansion as early as next August.

Councillor Barry Lewis, Chair of Sutton Council’s Environment & Sustainable Transport Committee, said:  

“This is the wrong decision at this time. Mayor Khan is leaving Londoners high and dry by ignoring Sutton Council, residents and businesses in the ULEZ consultation. His short-sighted expansion of the scheme will cut the people of Sutton off from work, family and security. 

“Sutton is proud to be one of London’s most sustainable boroughs, but expanding ULEZ at this time without good bus and train services to outer London boroughs will only isolate people. 

“Londoners are somehow expected to access public transport, yet Sutton has a paltry £73 of investment in transport per resident. The services are not there. The Mayor says he is providing Sutton with two ‘new’ bus services but these are just minor alterations to current routes. In order for the people of Sutton to have a viable alternative to the car, the Mayor’s plans need to go much further. 

Councillor Patrick Ogbonna, added:

“This is a totally out-of-touch decision that will effectively put a financial ring of steel around London. This is going to be catastrophic for trade, residents, businesses and key workers at a time when everyone is struggling.

“The Mayor has totally failed to listen to the consultation feedback and the timing could not be worse for struggling residents and businesses. He must think again.”