| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Did Boris Johnson cry himself to sleep last night? | |
| Posted by: | Jeremy Parkinson | |
| Date/Time: | 22/07/23 08:40:00 |
| The number of people voting Green was greater than the Tory majority which, ironically, has allowed them to claim that this was a vote against the ULEZ. The question is now will the Mayor choose to proceed with implementation next month. As far as I can see there is no choice. The financial arrangement with the Department for Transport locks it in so even if Sadiq Khan changed his mind he can't do anything. I believe he realises his position and has chosen to make the best of it arguing strongly for the ULEZ. The claims made for it are very weak, for all the talk of improving air quality, the gains that it will achieve are minimal and would have occurred over time anyway. In terms of climate change, it could be argued that it will be a negative because newer cars tend to be heavier and therefore emit more greenhouse gases even EVs if they are dependent on a grid powered by fossil fuels. However, the most important thing about it is the money that it will provide for public transport in London. This may only serve to stave off decline rather result in improvements but this will be the biggest contribution ULEZ makes to improving air quality and saving the planet. |