More than 150,000 cars in Surrey at risk of ULEZ fines this summer

New analysis by the Liberal Democrats has found there are a staggering 1.6 million cars in areas surrounding London which are not ULEZ compliant, including 157,338 in Surrey. Commuters, including key workers such as teachers, nurses and police officers driving into London from areas like Surrey are unable to access car scrappage schemes despite ULEZ being expanded to outer London in August, and will be forced to pay ULEZ charges every day for travelling to work.

The Liberal Democrats are the first party to call for a commuter car scrappage scheme for the South-East of England to mitigate the expansion of the London Mayor's ULEZ. The Government has provided over £800 million for car scrappage schemes in other cities around the country as part of clean air zone initiatives but has failed to offer any funding for London's ULEZ expansion. The Liberal Democrats have slammed this as "a betrayal of London and the commuter belt" and urged Government Ministers to step in.

Under the Liberal Democrats' proposal, anybody with a non-ULEZ compliant car in areas surrounding London who has a legitimate reason for regularly driving into the capital such as for work or caring duties, could claim a grant of up to £4,000 to switch cars. For example, a nurse working in an outer London hospital, or somebody who drives just inside the Greater London boundary to care for their elderly relative.

The party is also calling for small businesses to be provided with financial support as well as more incentives for electric vehicles and more electric charging points across London and the South-East.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

"It is time someone stood up for the nurses, teachers, businesses and self-employed people across the commuter belt who have to drive into London frequently. They've been left high and dry by both the Government and London's Mayor.

"It is reckless for the Mayor to push ahead with his ULEZ extension given the cost of living crisis, with millions unable to benefit from car scrappage schemes or better transport links, so he should delay his plans."

Will Forster, Leader of Surrey Lib Dems said:

"ULEZ is a huge concern for many in Surrey. I am pleased that three Lib Dem run Councils in outer London have lead the criticism of ULEZ, calling for a delay and a wider scrappage scheme.

"Councils can ill afford to go to the courts and challenge this scheme. What we need is for the mayor to listen to London Boroughs and local authorities including here in Surrey and give people more time and flexibility to help us make a just and fair transition."