Having clean air across Havering is something we all want-but then help people achieve this.

Addressing the quality of clean air across the borough is very important. Areas around schools have clocked up very poor air quality as many parents use vehicles to drive their children to school not only causing poor air quality but also huge congestion across school areas.

Launders Lane, Arnolds Field have also been a huge cause of concern across South Havering, especially in the summer when daily fires break out and residents living nearby are forced to keep their windows shut.

Now we are going to be having the expansion of the ultra low emission zone across Havering. In theory this, we are told will bring in clean air for our children across the borough. Pro ULEZ campaigners are under the belief that the majority of the vehicles across Havering are ULEZ compliant-we have yet to obtain those figures. They also are informing us that despite being told the majority of cars here are ULEZ compliant, this scheme will mean many less cars outside of schools.

Encouraging parents to walk their children to school whenever possible is an issue we have written about repeatedly. We have spoken with parents and asked them to consider walking their children to school when possible, but there are always many conditions.

We have campaigned with cyclists to encourage more cycling across the area for parents where possible.

The pro ULEZ campaigners have not made their voices heard in regards to Launders Lane and just how much this is impacting the whole borough, only on supporting ULEZ.

There are many across the borough who are facing life changing decisions with the arrival of the ultra low emission zone.

We would like to share with you some of the concerns people are faced with, leaving their names out.

I am a Havering resident scratching a living as a self employed locksmith. This is a hammer blow. I can’t afford to buy a ulez complaint van or the 12.50 a day, No option but to fold up and go on benefits and be economically inactive. My career will be ruined

My daughter is a full time carer for my mother. If this ludicrous charge is implemented, she will have no car to get to my mother and will not be able to shop for her or take her to doctors and hospital appointments

My husband will have no vehicle for work. He is located in all different areas so public transport is out of the question 
I’m disgusted with this

I been fighting to see my daughter for years. I am also a single parent of 2 children that live with me. Contact has started to become very good. I pick my daughter up after once a week. For me to travel by bus and train its going to cost me around £80 every 2 weeks to see my child. I have a 2005 ford Mondeo that I fill up every 6 weeks for £80 to a £100 since the fuel has gone up.and I only use the car to pick my daughter up. If the ulez is brought in I will not be able to afford a new car and it will jeopardise the relationship that I have fought so hard to have.

I drive an older car. Due to rising cost of pretty much everything this is worst time to change my car. I am single covering costs on my own. Not had a pay rise in years. Not eligible for scrapped scheme as outside the area. All my friends and family including elderly parents who I help out live inside the proposed zone in Hornchurch, Bexley, Croydon and Harold Hill. Not had a holiday since before covid. Been priced out of living in the area and now will have to avoid visiting friends and family. Shocking I to have to pay ULEZ or find another car at cost I can least afford.

I don’t own a car. I live alone and rely on family to help me with, for example, shopping, odd jobs around the house etc. I fear that the introduction of ULEZ to all London boroughs will deter people from visiting me. I have mobility issues so it will be a big inconvenience for me if my family and friends don’t visit so often if they have to pay the ULEZ charge.

My current vehicle was purchased using finance as I could not afford to buy a vehicle outright. I had to buy a vehicle as my previous car was written off by an uninsured driver. My employment involves me driving everyday as I am a housing officer and without my vehicle I cannot keep my job. In August 2023 I will no longer be able to use my vehicle and so will no longer have a job. I will then be faced with finance payments that I cannot make as I will have no income. This will result in me having the car repossessed and me having to make an application for benefits due to not being able to keep my job which I love. I have checked the scrap page scheme which only helps if you are already on benefits? How does that work? So the working class are yet again being punished with no support because they work? We are all struggling at the moment financially emotionally and mentally and this is the icing on the cake. This will ensure that I am unemployed and mentally and physically unable to progress in my life. As a worker I should also be given the opportunity to access the scrap page scheme. Might as well go on the sick now and get everything paid for me including my car finance and my cost of living payments increased instead of working and paying more tax and being left with nothing.

I’m a young widow with two daughters. This will cripple me.

My mum is totally disabled with MS & Parkinson’s and she is not entitled to a mobility car because she is too old and didn’t claim PIP before she was 65. My dad purchased a VW Diesel 2012 mobility car for her and now we have got to sell it or we have to pay £12.50 a day to use it. My mum is registered disabled but if you don’t get the full benefit then your’re not exempt. The car is in my name because my mum doesn’t drive. If we sell it not sure what we can afford to purchase to replace it.