ULEZ expansion must result in better public transport for the people of Sutton

Sutton Council is calling on the Mayor of London to commit to providing better public transport following confirmation of the expansion of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone scheme. 

Responding to the Mayor’s decision to push ahead with the expansion despite the objections of many residents and boroughs in outer London, Councillor Barry Lewis, Chair of Sutton Council’s Environment & Sustainable Transport Committee, said:  

“This is the wrong decision at this time. Mayor Khan is leaving Londoners high and dry by ignoring Sutton Council, residents and businesses in the ULEZ consultation. His short-sighted expansion of the scheme will cut the people of Sutton off from work, family and security. 

“Sutton is proud to be one of London’s most sustainable boroughs, but expanding ULEZ at this time without good bus and train services to outer London boroughs will only isolate people. 

“Londoners are somehow expected to access public transport, yet Sutton has a paltry £73 of investment in transport per resident. The services are not there. The Mayor says he is providing Sutton with two ‘new’ bus services but these are just improvements to current routes. In order for the people of Sutton to have a viable alternative to the car, the Mayor’s plans need to go much further. 

“With Transport for London getting back on track, now should be the time to boost public transport, not neglect it. It simply doesn’t add up.

“People suffering from the cost of living crisis must now stump up the cash in a matter of months to change their car or find public transport that doesn’t exist.

“The Mayor has not listened. Now, he must come to Sutton to explain how he is going to support our residents with improved public transport and more details of the scrappage scheme for drivers to switch to lower emission vehicles.”