Urgent warning to drivers over ULEZ ‘loophole’ which could cost them £1,000s… only to have their motor SCRAPPED
DRIVERS have been issued an urgent warning over a ULEZ ‘loophole’ which could cost them thousands and see their motor scrapped.
The policy, which charges drivers £12.50 a day to drive in London if their vehicle doesn’t meet emissions standards, has seen a strong backlash since it was introduced.
Sadiq Khan is offering grants up to £2,000 to those who ditch motors that fail to meet the ULEZ emission standards.
But only roadworthy vehicles are eligible, meaning drivers may have to fork out to get broken motors fixed before they go in the scrap heap.
Cars eligible for a £2,000 grant if scrapped need to have valid MOT and road tax.
Other requirements from Transport for London (TfL) are that the vehicle must have been owned for at least 12 months and registered at the recipient’s home address.
It means drivers could be forced to pay hundreds to fix up their cars to adequate condition – only to have their car binned off in the end.
Those applying for the grant must also supply TfL with its V5C registration document.
ULEZ was introduced in 2019 in order to address air pollution in central London.
It originally operated in the congestion charge zone only, before being widened out to the North and South circular roads in 2021, making the charging zone 18 times bigger according to the RAC.
From August 29, it is set to be widened again to include the entire Greater London Area.
And similar policies, known as Clean Air Zones, have been implemented in cities like Birmingham, Sheffield and Bristol.
Several local authorities set to be affected challenged the plans, but the High Court ruled in Mr Khan’s favour.
Even now, a rebellion is brewing on the outskirts of the city as councils refuse to put up new enforcement signs.
Frustrated drivers have spoken out about their discontent with the ULEZ.
It comes as one motorist faces paying £760 to get his 1994 BMW on the road so he can scrap it.
George Morrison, 42, said: “It’s a crazy situation, absolutely absurd.
“I can’t believe I’m being forced to shell out a fortune fixing it up just to have it crushed days later.
“It seems to run against the ethos of the Ulez scheme.
“This is a much-loved car that has been taxed, insured and MOT’d for years.”
Previously, it emerged that PM Rishi Sunak was blocked from preventing the expansion.
And a major loophole in the scrappage scheme designed to help drivers get rid of non-compliant cars could end up costing them a fortune instead.