Havering residents gather to protest against ULEZ shouting ‘Get Khan Out’.

Hundreds of Havering residents gathered outside the Town Hall in Romford yesterday evening to protest against the ULEZ expansion. The protest was organised by Romford Conservative Councillors who gathered to ‘demand’ Havering Council join the five boroughs that have launched a judicial review against the expansion that is due to start in August this year.

In response Cabinet Member Councillor Graham Williamson told the Havering Daily: “A judicial review would cost the borough up to £400,000 and if we lost, we would have to pay all the costs. We cannot afford to spend the money that way when the only way forward is to lobby the government to get them to intervene. They have the money and power to veto this expansion and that is the only way to stop this. A judicial review will not stop this expansion. We must all lobby the government now as they can stop this expansion.”

Residents came with many banners clearly showing their anger at the London Mayor and his plan to expand the ULEZ. They gathered on either side of the entrance to the Town Hall chanting ‘Get Khan Out.’

GLA Member and Conservative Councillor Keith Prince told the Havering Daily: “This is a disgrace, the man has no mandate to do this and it was not in his manifesto. If he had told Londoners what he was going to do before the election, I don’t think Londoners would have voted for him.

“This is a tax for those who can least afford it. He is supposed to be a socialist, but the only people who will be paying this tax are those who can least afford to pay it.

“It is great to see so many people from Havering standing up for all those that cannot afford this. Havering has sent out a clear message ‘NO to ULEZ’.”

Residents spoke about the impact it will have on their livelihoods and how so many who are already struggling, will now face further debt.

One resident told the Havering Daily: “There are tradespeople being told to get new vans or use public transport. How can you put ladders, tools, and equipment on a bike, or get a bus and train? These tradespeople go to many different jobs in a day, how can they carry all their equipment on public transport?”

“We know that this is just the beginning and that we will then face road charges and pay-per-mile charges once the cameras are up.”

The feeling of anger was common amongst residents, they are unhappy at how this scheme is being imposed on them without any consultation.

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