CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE MAYOR'S TRANSPORT STRATEGY
London Mayor’s Transport Strategy and the ULEZ
- A Blatant Attack on Motorists
- Make Sure You Object
In 2016 Sadiq Khan was elected Mayor of London on a manifesto pledging to tackle congestion through harmless-sounding measures like encouraging car clubs and managing road works. He also promised to maintain the Congestion Charge at its current level. He would not have got elected if he had come out with blatantly anti-motorist measures. However, in his Mayor's Transport Strategy (MTS), his implementation of Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) and support for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) he has done precisely that.
With the Covid-19 epidemic we are now seeing emergency measures taken to close roads under the euphemistic titles of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, Mini-Holllands and Healthy Neighbourhoods in many London boroughs. These have been supported by central Government also with funding coming from them and TfL. But there is very strong opposition from local residents because of the massive inconvenience caused with higher traffic congestion, longer journey times and difficulties for people who cannot cycle or walk far. Such closures are all part of the MTS, and are promoted by Transport for London (TfL). See this web page for more information on LTNs: London-Road-Closures
Road closures such as those in Lewisham - see photo above and this link to our local campaign: Lewisham, are mainly supported by those who wish to stop usage of vehicles altogether - no more cars, delivery vans, or people providing local services.
The MTS plans looked for "new ways of paying for road use", hinting at pay-per-mile road pricing. This could see the Congestion Charge extended across Greater London, with local boroughs asked to use it as a blunt traffic reduction measure. Alternatively, they could be asked to bring in “Workplace Parking Levies” - effectively a tax on going to work. The Mayor’s ULEZ schemes are simply a way to raise taxes on vehicle users justified by claims about a public health crisis from air pollution that are simply false. There is no public health crisis and the ULEZ charges will not make a major impact on air pollution.
Britain's drivers pay five times over to use the roads. Yet the Mayor feels that Londoners “pay too little”, without giving any figures to support this. He alleges that public transport fare payers subsidise motorists which is simply wrong – the reverse is the case as public transport is massively subsidised out of public taxation while motorists pay more than the costs of maintaining the roads.
It is particularly worrying that the Mayor wants to take over collection of VED (“road tax”) and set the rates which would provide another way for the Mayor to extract money from car drivers on top of congestion charging and the ULEZ.
He seeks to discourage car ownership, using a reduction in the availability of private parking and kerb side parking spaces with discriminatory parking charges against some vehicles.
Even Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs – minicabs) come under attack with proposals to limit their numbers and increase their costs by dropping their exemption from the congestion charge.
He proposes reallocating road space away from drivers, even though the reduction in space has been a key factor in increasing congestion. He even hints at car parking at stations being made less convenient or spaces being removed.
In summary, the Mayor makes it plain that he intends to reduce car use in favour of public transport, cycling and walking by penalising motorists and making it more expensive for you to own and drive a car. The private motorist could become a vanishing species in London if the Mayor has his way, or your costs for driving will skyrocket.
These proposals give the Mayor the ability to build a financial empire and dictate the lives of Londoners much more extensively than previously. The MTS is yet another missed opportunity to develop an integrated transport strategy with an improved road network in London.
It is not too late to tell the Mayor what you think and get him to change his mind. Use this web page to send a message to the Mayor stating you object to the Mayor's Transport Strategy and the ULEZ.
Or send a letter addressed to: Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London using this address: City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE - just mention the Mayor's Transport Strategy or ULEZ and why you are objecting.
MAKE SURE YOU OBJECT
Please also register your support for our campaign and for further news on the subject by clicking on this link: MTS-Updates
The Ultra Low Emission Zone
The ULEZ is a key part of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. It will mean millions of Londoners being charged £12.50 per day to use a vehicle, or force them to buy a new one. Go to this web page for more information on that and how it is being used to generate enormous new taxes: Environment
This is a very good article by James Hockney on why the ULEZ is unnecessary: Hockney-Article
If you have any questions on this issue, contact Roger Lawson - see the Contact page. We also need volunteers to help with this campaign. If you can assist in any way, please call 020-8295-0378 or use the Contact page to send an email.
More Information
Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS): https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/transport/our-vision-transport/mayors-transport-strategy-2018
Our responses to the MTS consultation were given in this document: MTS-Responses
Some of the comments received from the public on the Mayor’s Transport Strategy and ULEZ are present on this web page: MTS-Comments
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