Update 25 November 

Cllr Chris Sadler, Leader, Elmbridge Borough Council:

"On Thursday 24 November, TFL attended Elmbridge’s Overview and Scrutiny meeting to respond to our concerns about the extension of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across all London boroughs, as we believe it will adversely impact Elmbridge residents and that TFL have not factored this into their thinking.

"Today, Friday 25 November, they have announced that indeed the ULEZ will be extended from 29 August 2023. We are disappointed that our concerns and those of the Elmbridge residents and businesses have not been considered and we will continue to lobby TFL to extend the scrappage scheme beyond London and to work with us and Surrey County Council to improve public transport."

Update 17 November

At our upcoming Overview and Scrutiny meeting on 24 November, we welcome the opportunity to speak with TFL regarding the potential ULEZ expansion and hear from them on issues such as the implementation date (which we believe is too soon) and the data on air quality behind the proposals, both of which and more were raised through Elmbridge Borough Council’s initial assessment of the proposals.

Elmbridge Borough Council is supportive of improving air quality in Elmbridge and of increased trade in our high streets and parades, both of which we see as potential benefits to the possible extension of the ULEZ (as being proposed by the Mayor of London). However, there are too many uncertainties with the current proposal.

While traffic is the leading contributor of emissions in Elmbridge, the current proposal does not seem to encourage the use of cycling, walking or public transport. Nor does it offer improvements to public transport services in Elmbridge or other boroughs neighbouring London.

The extension of the ULEZ will generate revenue for Transport For London (TFL) and we would like assurances that such revenue will be invested to support necessary and affordable public transport links between Elmbridge and the proposed ULEZ area.

Overall, the report being presented to the Individual Cabinet Member Decision Making Meeting (ICMDM) on 11 July, proposes that the implementation date is too soon. Authorities on the border of the proposed expansion, of which Elmbridge is one, have not had enough time to consider the impacts of the scheme, nor have TfL provided any modelling on air quality or traffic flow analysis. Such analysis will take time and we would hope for a delay in implementing the scheme to allow for this essential information.

The report being presented suggests the following actions by Elmbridge Borough Council:

• To submit the Council’s response, as stated in the report, to the ULEZ London-wide consultation by 29 July 2022.
• To respond to any further consultations and participate in related workshops to develop Elmbridge’s response to an expanded ULEZ.
• To keep residents and businesses updated on any developments regarding the ULEZ London-wide proposals.
• The Leader of Elmbridge Borough Council, Councillor Chris Sadler, to personally write to the Mayor London expressing our viewpoints on the proposed ULEZ London-wide expansion. (Update 1 August - letter from Cllr Sadler to the Mayor of London)

Please continue to check back to our website for updates on this proposal from the Mayor of London.

*Accessible version of the letter from Cllr Sadler to the Mayor of London