Wandsworth Council have launched a ULEZ cash support scheme which will pay £1,000 to lower income residents who give up, or have recently given up, non-compliant vehicles.
The entire borough is contained within the recently expanded ULEZ charging zone, prompting the council to set aside £1m to fund the scheme, which is in addition to the support provided by the Mayor of London’s ULEZ Scrappage Scheme.
Residents most in need of help in making the switch to cleaner and more sustainable forms of transport can apply for the grant from the Wandsworth Sustainable Travel Fund.
To be eligible for the council’s help residents need to live in the borough and own (or have owned) a non-ULEZ compliant vehicle, be eligible for qualifying benefits, or be registered as a carer and be able to prove the vehicle has been sold or disposed of since January 2023.
Wandsworth Council Leader Simon Hogg said: ‘Switching to more sustainable forms of transport is at the heart of tackling air pollution – which we know is a top priority for our residents.
‘At the same time the Cost-of-Living crisis has left household budgets severely stretched for everyone, especially those on lower incomes.
‘Our new ULEZ cash support scheme targets help to local people struggling with their everyday finances, along with those who are dedicated, hardworking local carers. The council’s scheme can help them make the switch from high polluting vehicles to cleaner and greener forms of travel.’
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also welcomed the council’s scheme. He said: ‘I am pleased to see Wandsworth Council providing additional support to local residents transitioning to cleaner vehicles.
‘Wandsworth is yet another example of a local authority doing the right thing and stepping up where the Government has failed to provide sufficient funding to London.
‘While 90 per cent of cars seen driving regularly in outer London on an average day are already ULEZ compliant, I’m keen we support everyone making the shift to cleaner forms of travel.
‘I’m delighted residents in Wandsworth will be getting even more support on top of the scrappage funding we’ve already announced.’
Having followed TfL’s lead, they should now do so again and extend it to everyone, not just those on qualifying benefits – people like pensioners e.g.