Watford’s mayor has labelled Sadiq Khan’s call to extend the Ulez scrappage payments to Hertfordshire “too little too late”.

The scheme pays up to £2,000 to eligible drivers, such as those on low incomes or with disabilities who need to scrap a car, and up to £9,500 for charities, sole traders and small businesses scrapping or retrofitting vans and minibuses.

This was not set to apply to people in Hertfordshire, despite the fact they would still need to pay £12.50 to drive into the capital in a non-compliant vehicle from August.

Watford Observer: The area (outermost) covered by the expansionThe area (outermost) covered by the expansion (Image: TfL)

Earlier this week, the Mayor of London requested government funding to extend the same support to everyone in the home counties.

Despite previously pushing for Watford drivers to be included in the scrappage scheme, Watford mayor Peter Taylor was critical of Mr Khan’s request for the Government to match the £110 million he allocated for London’s scheme.

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“This is too little too late from Sadiq,” Mr Taylor said.

“Whilst I agree that the government should contribute to ensure that all those who need it have access to a scrappage scheme, Sadiq Khan should also contribute.

“Residents in Watford pay into TfL's budget and should have access to the London scrappage scheme as well.

“Watford deserves better than being caught in the crossfire between the Labour Mayor and Conservative government.

“I have written to both Sadiq Khan and Ministers telling them to stop blaming each other and support residents so that they are not punished by the rushed ULEZ expansion.”

In a letter, Mr Khan had urged the Prime Minister to “become a doer, rather than a delayer, when it comes to climate action”.

Watford Observer: Ulez signUlez sign (Image: PA)

He wrote: “London, the South East, and the East of England make net contributions to the Treasury every year, and Londoners pay £500 million of vehicle excise yearly, which is then spent on maintaining roads in other parts of the country.

“For our regions to pay in so much and not be helped to reduce carbon emissions and make our air safer to breathe is unfair and doesn’t make sense.”

He also highlighted the millions in scrappage scheme funding given to other areas introducing clean air zones.