Making drivers in London pay to use polluting cars is a “welcome” principle, Hertfordshire County Council has said.
Responding to a proposal by Transport for London (TfL) to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), the council said it would help reduce pollution over the Greater London boundary into Hertfordshire.
But despite giving a nod to the clean air benefits, the council said TfL could not have its “full support” as a full impact assessment had not been done.
The ULEZ currently runs up to (but does not include) the North and South Circular roads. But TfL is looking into expanding the zone to cover the whole of Greater London from August 2023.
Read more: Fuming London driver 'will park in Herts' if ULEZ expansion goes ahead
Drivers of most vehicles which do not comply with minimum emissions standards are charged a daily fee of £12.50 for entering the ULEZ.
For diesel cars to avoid the charge, they must generally have been registered after September 2015, while most petrol models registered from 2005 are exempt.
In its response to the Mayor of London's consultation on the ULEZ expansion, the county council wrote: "Whilst we welcome the principle of the ULEZ, the full impact on neighbouring authorities has not been assessed and so we are unable to give our support at this stage.
“The council welcomes proposals which contribute positively towards cleaner air, climate change and congestion impacts are challenges which do not cease at the Greater London boundary.
“The council recognises that these ambitions are in line with the council’s own corporate ambition of creating a cleaner, greener, healthier county.”
Read more: TfL consultation 'leak' shows opposition against ULEZ expansion
Any driver travelling within the ULEZ, whether they live in London or not, would be liable to pay a charge if their vehicle does not comply with emission standards.
The council continued: “The county council considers there is a need to lobby for financial assistance or a tax rebate at a national level, as affordability will be a major issue for small businesses and individuals who will need to upgrade their vehicles to meet the standards in the shortest time possible.
“Any financial assistance should be targeted at renewal of fleet vehicles to meet required standards and incentives to engage modal shift to public and active transport modes.”
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