Protesters demonstrating against Ulez expansion fill Trafalgar Square

Protesters demonstrating against Sadiq Khan’s hated Ulez expansion scheme fill Trafalgar Square after High Court said mayor’s £12-a-day charge rollout may be unlawful

• Protesters gathered in hi-vis jackets with placards that read ‘Free Our Streets’
• It comes after High Court judgment permitted legal challenge against the plans 

Hundreds of protesters gathered in London today to protest against the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) expansion scheme.

The protesters gathered at Trafalgar Square, London, in high-visibility jackets with ‘Free our Streets’ placards and mock registration plates reading ‘No to Ulez’.

Demonstrators could also be seen with placards that read ‘Get Khan Out’ and ‘Take Back Democracy’.

It comes after a High Court judgment permitted four London councils to proceed with a legal challenge against London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s plans to expand the Ulez to the whole of Greater London.

But Mr Khan has said he will continue with plans to extend the Ulez, which he has argued is needed to tackle toxic air that is responsible for thousands of premature deaths a year.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in London today to protest against the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion scheme

The Ulez, which is aimed at reducing air pollution by charging drivers of older vehicles, covers the area inside the North and South Circular roads.

But Mr Khan intends to expand it across all of Greater London on August 29 of this year.

Drivers of older, polluting cars will have to pay £12.50 a day to use their vehicle across Greater London.

A £110million scrappage scheme will also be introduced, intended to help eligible Londoners scrap their highest-polluting vehicles to prepare for the Ulez expansion.

Mr Khan announced the plans last summer when it was welcomed by green groups, clean air campaigners and some businesses but opposed by Conservatives and some of the public who claim outer boroughs don’t want it.

Four Conservative London borough councils – Hillingdon, Bexley, Bromley, Harrow – and Surrey county council have since got permission to challenge the policy in court.

Former High Court Judge Sir Ross Cranston said the first ground was ‘doubtful but arguable’ and that the second was ‘on the cusp’.

He turned down three other claims for appeal but the hearing is set to go ahead in July.

The Ulez, which is aimed at reducing air pollution by charging drivers of older vehicles, covers the area inside the North and South Circular roads. But Mr Khan intends to expand it across all of Greater London on August 29 of this year 

The protesters gathered at Trafalgar Square, London, in high-visibility jackets with ‘Free our streets’ placards and mock registration plates reading ‘No to ULEZ’

Mr Khan introduced the scheme last summer when it was welcomed by green groups, clean air campaigners and some businesses but opposed by Conservatives and some of the public who claim outer boroughs don’t want it.

Drivers of older, polluting cars will have to pay £12.50 a day to use their vehicle across Greater London

Nick Rogers, City Hall Conservatives transport spokesman, told MailOnline: ‘The High Court has now ruled there is sufficient evidence that Sadiq Khan’s Ulez decision may have been unlawful.

‘The Mayor clearly does not have the legal grounds to proceed with his Ulez tax plans, which take money from charities, small businesses and low-income Londoners who cannot afford a new car. 

‘Sadiq Khan should do the right thing, immediately stop work on his Ulez expansion, and explain his actions to the court.’

But a spokesman for Mr Khan pointed out that three of the five claims brought by the councils have already been rejected outright – and the scrappage claim was only partially granted on a single aspect.

The spokeswoman told MailOnline: ‘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.

‘It is a shame that some local authorities have chosen to attempt this costly and misguided legal challenge instead of focusing on the health of those they represent.

‘Around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely every year due to air pollution. This is a health emergency and the Mayor is not prepared to stand by and do nothing while Londoners are growing up with stunted lungs and are more at risk of heart disease, cancer and dementia due to our toxic air.’

Pictured: two protesters stand in high-visibility jackets with placards reading ‘stop zoning’ and a mock registration plate reading ‘NO 2 ULEZ’

Pictured: a crowd of protesters holding placards and a banner today in Trafalgar Square, London

Pictured: more protesters hold ‘No Ulez No Pay Per Mile’ and ‘Sack Khan’ placards at the demonstration today

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