A Watford mum has described the ULEZ fee as “brutal” after she attended a huge London protest over its expansion at the weekend.

Held on Saturday in Trafalgar Square, hundreds attended in response to London mayor Sadiq Khan’s plan to extend the ultra low emission zone across Greater London.

The mother-of-two, who does not want to be named, said the protest was “fabulous, friendly, and inclusive”.

Watford Observer: One protester was carrying a coffin with the word democracy written on it.One protester was carrying a coffin with the word democracy written on it. (Image: Submitted)

“There are very strong feelings of opposition towards expanding ULEZ,” she said.   

The woman, who spoke with other protesters, added: “People told me they were terrified, and their stress levels are going through the roof.

Watford Observer: People of all ages gathered to take part in the protest on Saturday, February 25.People of all ages gathered to take part in the protest on Saturday, February 25. (Image: Submitted)

“One man I spoke to said he is not going to be able to look after his 94-year-old mother every day because they can’t afford a new car.

“There are thousands of unpaid carers who will not be able to pay the fee.”

​The mum, who drives to Harrow every day for work, said she will not be able to buy a new car, which could set her back around £30,000. Even if she did use public transport to travel to work, she said she would have to use three buses and would not have a vehicle to use during the day, which her job requires.

She added: “The charge is brutal. It’s extortionate.”

Watford Observer: The protest in Trafalgar Square The protest in Trafalgar Square (Image: Submitted)

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said the decision to expand the zone across all of London was not easy for Sadiq Khan, but he has a duty to tackle toxic air pollution.

The spokesperson said: “Around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely each year due to toxic air, with the greatest number of deaths attributable to air pollution in London’s outer boroughs.

“Extending the ULEZ London-wide will enable millions more people to breathe cleaner air.”

The mayor has announced a scrappage scheme of £110 million to help Londoners, including charities, low income and disabled Londoners, small businesses, and sole traders make the switch to ULEZ compliant vehicles.

It was recently announced that Mr Khan has requested government funding to extend the same support to everyone in the home counties.