Five councils opposed to the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone to cover the whole of London have won the right to challenge the validity of Mayor Sadiq Khan’s decision.
Boroughs Bexley, Bromley, Hillingdon and Harrow, in addition to Surrey County Council, applied for a judicial review earlier this year, and judges have now granted the request.
London’s financial paper CityAM, has seen the ruling by High Court judge Sir Ross Cranston, who wrote: “The application for permission to apply for judicial review is granted on grounds one and three but refused on the other grounds.”
In the ruling, City AM says Sir Ross described the council’s claims about the mayor failing to follow procedural requirements as “arguable”. In the ruling, published on Wednesday, April 12, Sir Ross described the council’s claims about the mayor failing to follow procedural requirements as “arguable”.
City Hall Conservative spokesman Nick Rogers tweeted, “This is a significant breakthrough and welcome news for the thousands of Londoners who oppose the Mayor’s misguided ULEZ expansion plans. I hope he realises the game is up and scraps this damaging plan completely.”
Orpington MP Gareth Bacon commented, “I am delighted that the five local authorities, including Bromley, challenging ULEZ in the courts, have won the first stage in their legal battle against Sadiq Khan’s decision. While the full legal case is still to be fought, today’s decision is a significant step forward.”
A spokesperson for Khan told City AM: “The mayor is pleased to see the court has refused permission for the majority of the grounds. We will continue to robustly defend his life-saving decision to expand the ULEZ and continue with preparations without delay.”
(File picture – RAC)
