Mayor of London Sadiq Khan dodged questions when asked what he would do about councils refusing to let Transport for London (TfL) install London ULEZ cameras.

Nine boroughs, including three Liberal Democrat councils and six Conservative councils, have blasted TfL’s plans to install CCTV cameras in their boroughs – despite TfL claiming it does not need the green light from councils to do so.

The ultra-low emissions zone will expand to the whole of greater London from August, meaning some drivers will face daily charges of £12.50 if their vehicle is not compliant.

The expansion means drivers of petrol cars registered before 2005 and diesel cars registered before 2015 will be subject to the daily charge if their car is not environmentally friendly enough.

Harrow Council said it would refuse to implement it until “compelling evidence” was given for its justification.

On Wednesday (January 25) Hertsmere Borough Council, situated just outside north London, said that emission control should not be done in  away that “puts such a financial burden on those who can least afford it”.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Paul Savage, 77, says he will have to pay £12.50 a day every time he leaves his Harrow driveway once ULEZ expandsPaul Savage, 77, says he will have to pay £12.50 a day every time he leaves his Harrow driveway once ULEZ expands (Image: LDR / Grant Williams)

And Hertsmere Council leader Morris Bright said that if ULEZ is enforced “we are going to make sure it is done with as much noise from residents and councillors of this borough”.

Asked what he would do about London boroughs refusing to install ULEZ enforcement cameras, Mr Khan said: “I think those councils, they’re Conservative councils for party-political reasons, who are opposing these policies need to ask themselves the question, what is their response to those bereaved families in their boroughs who have lost their lives because of the poor quality in the air?

“The largest numbers of people with respiratory issues are in outer London.

“The largest number of deaths are in outer London. The councils that are opposing it are councils with the largest number of deaths.”

Speaking at an event in Newham on Tuesday (January 24), Mr Khan also said that clean air was “a human right”, and that black Londoners suffered the worst consequences of air pollution.

But he did not reveal what he planned to do if councils blocked plans to install ULEZ cameras.

TfL has however said it does not require local authority permission to install two-thirds of the 2,750 cameras needed onto existing TfL signage.

Richmond upon Thames is among the councils to join Harrow, Hillingdon, Croydon, Sutton, Bromley, Bexley, Havering and Kingston in fighting the mayor’s ULEZ expansion plans, which will come into force on August 29 this year. 

Mr Khan added: “Rather than these Conservatives being in the pocket of the fossil fuel companies, what they should be doing is being beside ordinary people."