As constituents will know, Mayor Khan has implemented his plan to extend the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across the entirety of Greater London including all areas of Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner. This comes despite local opposition across the constituency and from within both Conservative and Labour councillors on Hillingdon council.
While Hillingdon Council has expressed its readiness to challenge this decision, I used Transport Questions in the House of Commons this morning to address this matter. Asking a topical question, I expressed my concerns about the failure of the one size fits all policy to tackle air quality in the capital.
As is clear to many of my constituents, the issue of air quality is particular acute around schools in the constituency where there is a greater concentration of idling vehicles. This is clearly on the minds of teachers, parents and even school children who are directly impacted by this blight.
In a recent visit to West Lodge Primary School in the area, I saw the work being done to tackle this issue. Using this as an example, I pressed the Minister on how we should look at bespoke local solutions to this problem as opposed to Mayor Khan’s unpopular and ineffective policy.
Responding to my question, the Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper, recognised the importance of tackling poor air quality and how the Government had made this a priority. Turning to the ULEZ expansion, the Secretary of State outlined that this remains a devolved matter solely within the remit of Mayor Khan. For those reasons, the Government is unable to challenge the Mayor but the Secretary of State concluded his remarks by encouraging those who are opposed to the extension to continue their campaign.
