One of the ‘architects of Ulez’ and a supporter of 20mph zones has been appointed as the new Transport Secretary after Louise Haigh’s resignation. The Telegraph has the story.
Heidi Alexander, the MP for Swindon South, had previously served as Deputy Mayor of London for Transport. During her tenure, from 2018 to 2021, she oversaw the introduction and expansion of Ulez and the rollout of 20mph zones in the capital.
At the time, she said it was “totally right” that Ulez was expanded to include the North and South Circular roads, and spoke in favour of a subsequent expansion across all of London last year.
Her appointment raises fears that similar plans could become national policy. Speaking when she was selected as Labour’s candidate in Swindon South, a Conservative Party spokesman described her as “one of the architects of the much-hated Ulez tax scheme” who could soon “have significant sway in shaping Labour’s national policy in office”.
Under Ulez, drivers of cars made before 2016 are charged £12.50 a day to drive inside the M25. Originally introduced in central London only, the charging zone was expanded to the whole of Greater London by the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, last summer.
Since that expansion, drivers have been hit with £322 million in fines, while Bromley council found there was “no overall lowering in pollution” despite the zone being extended across the borough.
Ms. Alexander was appointed as Minister of State for Courts by Sir Keir Starmer in July.
As Courts Minister, she would have been closely involved in the Government’s response to the quashing of 75,000 train ticket prosecutions after the Chief Magistrate ruled that they were unlawful earlier this year.
She has also previously spoken out about wanting to see a reduction in the numbers of people using cars.
In March 2020, she told the London Assembly: “We have set out that we want to see a fundamental shift in how Londoners move around the city, reducing dependency on the car.
“If we are going to hit our target of 80% of journeys being made by people walking, cycling or using public transport by 2041, we need to see three million fewer daily car journeys taking place.”
Worth reading in full.
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