{"id":270301,"date":"2023-07-30T11:58:41","date_gmt":"2023-07-30T09:58:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=270301"},"modified":"2023-07-30T11:58:44","modified_gmt":"2023-07-30T09:58:44","slug":"londons-ulez-expansion-balancing-environmental-protection-and-motorist-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=270301","title":{"rendered":"London\u2019s ULEZ Expansion: Balancing Environmental Protection and Motorist Rights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Watts Up With That?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tilak Doshi\u2019s article\u00a0\u201cLondon\u2019s Ulez Expansion: Motorists Of The World Unite!\u201d\u00a0<\/a>is an eye-opening examination of the real-world impact of London\u2019s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion on ordinary motorists. Doshi carefully weaves in historical perspectives, current developments, and political implications to present a compelling argument for a more nuanced approach to environmental policy-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doshi points out an intriguing historical parallel:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThe\u00a0<\/em>average speed of cars in London<\/a>\u00a0during a typical weekday averages 8 miles per hour in central London, 12 in inner London and 20 in outer London. According to AI ChatGPT, \u2018based on historical accounts and estimations\u2019, the speed of a Roman chariot was likely around 20 to 25 miles per hour on well-maintained roads in ancient Londinium.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This comparison makes a point about how policy interventions can alter the seemingly natural progression of technology and convenience. The current Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, finds himself at the helm of an expanding ULEZ that could\u00a0incite opposition from motorists dependent on their older \u2018non-compliant\u2019 vehicles.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doshi perceptively points out that there is a limit to the public\u2019s tolerance for financial penalties for \u201clong-term climate benefits.\u201d He cites a shift in political sentiment, with politicians such as\u00a0Michael Gove and Sir Iain Duncan Smith calling for a rethink on net zero regulations<\/a>. As Doshi posits, these regulations are viewed by many as causing unnecessary hardship, particularly for ordinary citizens already grappling with a cost-of-living crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doshi pulls no punches, stating,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cIt is no surprise that a\u00a0<\/em>news report<\/a>\u00a0published on Friday pointed to a sharp increase in vandalism on the 1,750 numberplate-reading cameras that Transport for London (TfL) is installing in preparation for the Ulez expansion due to be implemented in August.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The narrative underlines the palpable frustration and resentment of those affected by the ULEZ expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ULEZ expansion is more than a local London issue. As Doshi aptly describes, it\u2019s part of a global trend where<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cthe\u00a0<\/em>World Economic Forum\u2019s ambitions<\/a>\u00a0for governments to reduce the number of automobiles in the world by 75% by 2050 to reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

These ambitions, though noble, fail to take into account the impact on ordinary people, such as tradesmen, parents, and the elderly, who rely on their vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These ambitions, though noble, fail to take into account the impact on ordinary people, such as tradesmen, parents, and the elderly, who rely on their vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

A YouGov poll commissioned by the mayor found that only 27% of the respondents were against the Ulez expansion as a means to \u201cto tackle air pollution\u201d while 51% were in favour. A competing poll, undertaken by the Tories, asked respondents whether they were for or against the expansion with the preface that it was undertaken for revenue raising purposes. This reversed the results, with 51% opposed to the expansion, and 34% supporting. Biased surveys are nothing new, and poll results depend on the framing of the question.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Also, the claims about improved air quality due to the ULEZ may not be as clear-cut as they seem. As Doshi mentions, studies have shown that the actual reduction in pollution might be far less than reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, Doshi makes a compelling argument about the potential political implications of the ULEZ expansion and other similar policies. Across Europe, there\u2019s a growing political opposition to what Doshi describes as \u201cvirtue-signalling green schemes.\u201d London\u2019s motorists, as per Doshi,\u00a0may be leading the first real anti-green citizen\u2019s revolt.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Doshi ends his article with a rallying cry, \u201cWill the motorists of London unite to make this happen?\u201d I can\u2019t help but echo his sentiments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can read Doshi\u2019s full article here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

For more on 15 minute cities, go to this topic on ClimateTV<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tilak Doshi\u2019s article\u00a0\u201cLondon\u2019s Ulez Expansion: Motorists Of The World Unite!\u201d\u00a0is an eye-opening examination of the real-world impact of London\u2019s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion on ordinary motorists. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121246920,"featured_media":270308,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[691819103,691821454,691820654,691821453,691818108],"class_list":{"0":"post-270301","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-uncategorized","8":"tag-london","9":"tag-mayor-of-london","10":"tag-sadiq-khan","11":"tag-ultra-low-emission-zone-ulez","12":"tag-world-economic-forum","14":"fallback-thumbnail"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-933.png?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paxLW1-18jH","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":410465,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=410465","url_meta":{"origin":270301,"position":0},"title":"While Sadiq Khan Frolics on Billionaire Pal\u2019s Gas-Guzzling Superyacht, Ulez is Exposed as a Money-Making Scheme at the Expense of Hardworking Londoners","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"10\/27\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In a damning indictment published in Wednesday\u2019s\u00a0Daily Mail, researchers from the University of Birmingham have laid bare the futility of London Mayor Sadiq Khan\u2019s Ultra-Low Emission Zone (Ulez) expansion, concluding that the scheme has delivered zero tangible benefits to London\u2019s ambient air quality.","rel":"","context":"In \"\u2018Blade Runners\u2019\"","block_context":{"text":"\u2018Blade Runners\u2019","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=blade-runners-2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AQM7rOiF41cp5wZYsWQQ7vnsZqO2J7W_A3KddafgHEL98RQx1RrYwXfuFXwznLuHwCDf3_PC1B-6SQsoMJ2R2E-n80hloYOfNxLpmYrbDak-ZdoPaaxi8ssqrjYa7XA.jpeg?fit=1200%2C712&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AQM7rOiF41cp5wZYsWQQ7vnsZqO2J7W_A3KddafgHEL98RQx1RrYwXfuFXwznLuHwCDf3_PC1B-6SQsoMJ2R2E-n80hloYOfNxLpmYrbDak-ZdoPaaxi8ssqrjYa7XA.jpeg?fit=1200%2C712&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AQM7rOiF41cp5wZYsWQQ7vnsZqO2J7W_A3KddafgHEL98RQx1RrYwXfuFXwznLuHwCDf3_PC1B-6SQsoMJ2R2E-n80hloYOfNxLpmYrbDak-ZdoPaaxi8ssqrjYa7XA.jpeg?fit=1200%2C712&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AQM7rOiF41cp5wZYsWQQ7vnsZqO2J7W_A3KddafgHEL98RQx1RrYwXfuFXwznLuHwCDf3_PC1B-6SQsoMJ2R2E-n80hloYOfNxLpmYrbDak-ZdoPaaxi8ssqrjYa7XA.jpeg?fit=1200%2C712&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AQM7rOiF41cp5wZYsWQQ7vnsZqO2J7W_A3KddafgHEL98RQx1RrYwXfuFXwznLuHwCDf3_PC1B-6SQsoMJ2R2E-n80hloYOfNxLpmYrbDak-ZdoPaaxi8ssqrjYa7XA.jpeg?fit=1200%2C712&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":366625,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=366625","url_meta":{"origin":270301,"position":1},"title":"London\u2019s Blade Runners: Climate, Class War and the Corruption of Science","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"02\/17\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The UK papers carried stories recently about the punishing penalties that London\u2019s drivers have paid under Mayor Sadiq Khan\u2019s Ulez (ultra-low emission zone) scheme. Under this scheme, a daily fee of \u00a312.50 is charged on older petrol and diesel cars which enter the zone. The GB News\u00a0headline\u00a0reads: \u2018Sadiq Khan\u2019s Ulez\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"anti-Ulez\"","block_context":{"text":"anti-Ulez","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=anti-ulez"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/04949907.jpg?fit=1200%2C712&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/04949907.jpg?fit=1200%2C712&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/04949907.jpg?fit=1200%2C712&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/04949907.jpg?fit=1200%2C712&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/04949907.jpg?fit=1200%2C712&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":270716,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=270716","url_meta":{"origin":270301,"position":2},"title":"High Court Ruling Sparks Labour Civil War as Sadiq Khan\u2019s Ulez Scheme Given Go Ahead","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"08\/01\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Five Tory-led councils\u2019 High Court challenge against London Mayor Sadiq Khan\u2019s Ulez expansion plan has been rejected, giving the green light for the scheme\u2019s extension. The legal setback adds fuel to the already raging civil war within the Labour Party amid a pressing cost of living crisis. Motorists across Greater\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Green Agenda\"","block_context":{"text":"Green Agenda","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=green-agenda"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/0-ULEZ-Khan.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/0-ULEZ-Khan.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/0-ULEZ-Khan.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/0-ULEZ-Khan.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/0-ULEZ-Khan.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":409875,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=409875","url_meta":{"origin":270301,"position":3},"title":"Sadiq Khan’s hated ULEZ expansion had NO impact on air pollution","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"10\/23\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Sadiq Khan\u2019s Ulez failed to lower pollution levels, a study has found.","rel":"","context":"In \"Air quality\"","block_context":{"text":"Air quality","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=air-quality"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0AQN67nfk_KTO1yzjMCsnEzh53bS90FZGDozA_pYpK8O9jjhHoz7Rn4a8d1Mps9QXkiGRkzPe33R3kVE0WFItFhd0TNVjVDavQU9zFz5X5BTmjDYcFes8KQtOGlw-XKk-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C712&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0AQN67nfk_KTO1yzjMCsnEzh53bS90FZGDozA_pYpK8O9jjhHoz7Rn4a8d1Mps9QXkiGRkzPe33R3kVE0WFItFhd0TNVjVDavQU9zFz5X5BTmjDYcFes8KQtOGlw-XKk-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C712&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0AQN67nfk_KTO1yzjMCsnEzh53bS90FZGDozA_pYpK8O9jjhHoz7Rn4a8d1Mps9QXkiGRkzPe33R3kVE0WFItFhd0TNVjVDavQU9zFz5X5BTmjDYcFes8KQtOGlw-XKk-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C712&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0AQN67nfk_KTO1yzjMCsnEzh53bS90FZGDozA_pYpK8O9jjhHoz7Rn4a8d1Mps9QXkiGRkzPe33R3kVE0WFItFhd0TNVjVDavQU9zFz5X5BTmjDYcFes8KQtOGlw-XKk-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C712&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0AQN67nfk_KTO1yzjMCsnEzh53bS90FZGDozA_pYpK8O9jjhHoz7Rn4a8d1Mps9QXkiGRkzPe33R3kVE0WFItFhd0TNVjVDavQU9zFz5X5BTmjDYcFes8KQtOGlw-XKk-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C712&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":269008,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=269008","url_meta":{"origin":270301,"position":4},"title":"Government Told to Scrap Unaffordable Green Policies After By-Election Ulez Revolt","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"07\/23\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has\u00a0called\u00a0for Rishi Sunak to ditch \u201chigh-cost green policies\u201d in the wake of the surprise Conservative win at the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election.","rel":"","context":"In \"climate alarmism\"","block_context":{"text":"climate alarmism","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=climate-alarmism"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-679.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-679.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-679.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-679.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-679.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":275722,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=275722","url_meta":{"origin":270301,"position":5},"title":"London\u2019s ULEZ Policy: A Classic Irony in Action","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"08\/26\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"This move by Londoners to sidestep the ULEZ charge is eerily reminiscent of Cuba\u2019s streets filled with classic cars from the 1950s, following the cut-off of auto imports from the United States.","rel":"","context":"In \"Cuba\u2019s streets\"","block_context":{"text":"Cuba\u2019s streets","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=cubas-streets"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/00featuredimageresized.60dc8c6d4c00e.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/00featuredimageresized.60dc8c6d4c00e.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/00featuredimageresized.60dc8c6d4c00e.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/00featuredimageresized.60dc8c6d4c00e.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/00featuredimageresized.60dc8c6d4c00e.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/270301","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/121246920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=270301"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/270301\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":270309,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/270301\/revisions\/270309"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/270308"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=270301"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=270301"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=270301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}