VIDEO:’We have repeatedly asked the Mayor of London to come to Havering to see the issues we face if ULEZ is implemented’.

Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Gillian Ford and Cabinet Member Barry Mugglestone yesterday spoke exclusively to the Havering Daily about the Council’s battle against the ULEZ extension and the problems Havering residents will face if it goes ahead as planned this year.

The implementation of ULEZ across all outer London boroughs has indeed been a very emotive subject for many. The Havering Daily has been following this story and speaking to many key members of the community about its arrival and the impact it will make.

The ULEZ extension has seen many debating whose fault it is, why it is having to be implemented and the many politically factors around it. However, the bottom line is that we are in a severe cost of living crisis and this extension could have been delayed by a year to give people time to find a way forward, and it has not. It will also make life impacting changes for many residents who face losing their job and going on Universal Credit, going into debt to buy a ULEZ compliant vehicle, not being able to see elderly residents, not being able to bring children with disabilities to day centres and many, many other horrendous situations.

It is also worth noting that no one in Havering is against having clean air, we all encourage that, but the way this extension has been rolled out, will not give those struggling the most a way to go forward. The scrappage system is not viable for many, so they find themselves in a no win situation.

If you are reading this and are ready to comment that this extension is having to be implemented, put yourself in the shoes of a mum who after years of being on Universal Credit as her children were growing up, has now found a job she loves that fits around her young children’s school hours. At last she is happy after years of struggling. She is a single mum , has three children and needs a bigger vehicle.

If the extension goes ahead as planned, her car is not compliant and she cannot afford £12.50 a day. As a result she will have to give up her job and return on Universal Credit and will be left without a vehicle, which is a lifeline for her.

There are many who have to close their business as they will not be able to afford the £12.50 a day charges.

In our interview below, Councillor Gillian Ford and Barry Mugglestone speak openly about the challenges Havering faces, the endless work and meetings they have held with Transport For London and how they have repeatedly asked the Mayor of London to come and visit Havering to see for himself the problems the borough faces.

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