Hundreds of Urez protesters have blocked “all cameras” in the London borough as the uproar over Sadiq Khan’s controversial plans continues.
On Sunday, 400 people took part in demonstrations across Sutton, south London, and more than 80 cameras were hidden.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ures) was extended across the capital last year, with almost 90 per cent of Sutton covered by the scheme overnight.
Urez’s regulations mean drivers of “non-compliant” vehicles will have to pay a fee of £12.50 per day, which was met with fierce opposition from the public.
Demonstrators condemn Ures
P.A.
Protester Neil Gosling told GB News: “We’re protesting today because we all want clean air, but Sadiq Khan can only tell lies.
“All of my non-compliant vehicles are EU emissions compliant, but not TfL emissions compliant. They’re just trying to stop it and have a democratic vote.
“This is not about clean air. This is about £12.50 plus a £90 fine. It’s about TfL money and nothing else, and everyone knows that. In fairness Let’s act. We have low emission cars. I bought a Fiesta which costs £30 a year in road tax because it has very low emissions, but that’s not allowed in London.
“50CC mopeds aren’t allowed in London, but I can take the plunge and buy a new 5-litre Lamborghini. It fits in just as well as Sadiq Khan’s 5-litre Range Rover.” It’s all a lie. It’s all a lie and I want it to end – let’s bring back British democracy. ”
Latest developments:
Protester Neil Gosling told GB News: “This is not about clean air… this is about TfL’s money and nothing else.”
GB News
At yesterday afternoon’s protest, residents held placards blocking Urez’s cameras, allowing motorists to pass through Sutton without being charged with any offence.
Activists at Sutton’s Rosehill Roundabout were beeped in support by passing motorists, including some in “compliant” small cars.
The Urez scheme has been criticized for penalizing everyday drivers amid the cost of living crisis, with some drivers having to take out loans just to buy a compliant vehicle.
Kingsley Hamilton, a bus driver and activist with the group Action Against Injustice Ures, said all cameras in the borough had stopped working due to the protests.
Other groups have hidden Ures enforcement cameras with protest placards like this one, but Hamilton said the disablement “doesn’t concern us.”
X/Bromley vs Ures
Mr Hamilton said there were 107 cameras installed across Sutton and the combination of yesterday’s protests and earlier camera outages meant they were all monitored.
He told the Telegraph: “We sent out a message on social media promoting the fact that the journey only takes three hours, so drivers can drive to their relatives who are in hospital without being fined. I can do the same things I normally do, such as going to see them.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Police are aware of a protest at Rosehill Roundabout in Sutton today, Sunday 11th February. The protest ended peacefully and no arrests were made. has now left the area.”
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London told GB News: “The vast majority (95%) of vehicles driving in ultra-low emission zones every day are already compliant and do not have to pay a penny.
“The Mayor said the decision to extend the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone across London was not an easy one to make, but it has left thousands of people in the city with toxic air pollution leading to children growing up with stunted lungs and thousands of other people in the city. We are making it clear that we need to tackle life-altering illnesses such as cancer, lung disease, dementia and asthma.
“Causing criminal damage is completely unacceptable and all incidents of ULEZ camera vandalism will be reported to the police for investigation and any damaged or destroyed cameras will be promptly replaced.
“Criminal damage may endanger the safety of vandals and the public, but it will not stop ULEZ operations.”
But Hamilton said his group was acting within the law. He told the Telegraph that the suspension of cameras in the borough “has nothing to do with us” and that his group “does not condone any criminal activity”.