High Court rules ULEZ expansion in outer London Boroughs legal, Here’s what happens next

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

ULEZ) to outer London boroughs is lawful, dismissing the legal action launched by five Conservative-run councils. The expansion, set to begin on August 29, will charge the drivers of highly polluting vehicles £12.50 per day to incentivize cleaner transport alternatives and improve the city's air quality.

Hillingdon, Bexley, Bromley, Harrow in London, and Surrey County Council had challenged the ULEZ expansion in the courts, arguing that London's Labour mayor, Sadiq Khan, exceeded his legal powers with such a significant expansion of the scheme. While some parts of the challenge were previously dismissed, the councils were granted a hearing in the High Court, leading to a two-day presentation of evidence.

The debate around the ULEZ expansion dominated the recent local by-election in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, the seat vacated by Boris Johnson. The Conservative candidate secured a narrow victory, with the ULEZ becoming a central issue during the campaign. The by-election outcome spurred debate within the Labour Party on whether to support the ULEZ expansion.

Despite the debate and challenges, Sadiq Khan remains committed to the ULEZ expansion, highlighting the urgency of addressing air pollution. Following the High Court ruling, Khan expressed his determination to clean up London's air and tackle the climate crisis. He emphasized that the ULEZ expansion would bring cleaner air to five million more Londoners.

In light of the High Court decision, Mayor Khan announced plans to expand the scrappage scheme to nearly a million families receiving child benefits and all