Residents of a cul-de-sac in London's Headley Close, Chessington, are facing the imposition of a £12.50 charge each time they use their vehicles if they fail to meet specific criteria, due to the installation of a ULEZ camera on their road.
This move comes as part of Mayor Sadiq Khan's efforts to extend the controversial ULEZ scheme's coverage throughout the city. The borough of Kingston, specifically the road of concern, is set to be included in the zone starting from August 29.
The quiet road is marked by a row of garages, mainly catering to van drivers. Vehicles not meeting the compliance criteria, typically those registered before 2006 for petrol and 2014 for diesel, will incur charges. You can check whether your car is ULEZ compliant here.
Transport for London (TfL) has received criticism from numerous Headley Close inhabitants for the camera's placement. One resident claims to have already invested around £70,000 in replacing three of his vans to adhere to the scheme's requirements. However, he faces an additional challenge due to owning a trailer used for transporting a modified Land Rover to off-road tracks. He anticipates that the non-compliant vehicle, will only spend roughly 35 seconds on the street during his hobby-related activities, thereby resulting in a charge every time he engages in his pastime.
In a nearby street connected to the dead-end cul-de-sac, a ULEZ camera has been deliberately taken down. Beneath the camera's remains, two makeshift cardboard signs express gratitude and support for the act. One sign reads: "Our local hero! Top man. Thank you! Up yours Khan!" Another message states: "To whoever did this, we owe you a pint. Cheers mate."
