Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers led a demonstration next to cameras on the A1000 Great North Road reports David Floyd

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers with a group of protestors in New Barnet holding banners in opposition to the expansion of the mayor of London's Ultra Low Emissions Scheme (ULEZ) — Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villers (centre) with protestors at an event in New Barnet on Saturday 20th May – (Credit – Office of Theresa Villiers MP)

A local MP staged a protest in New Barnet on Saturday highlighting local anger at the mayor of London’s clean air agenda.

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers was joined by around 50 protestors at the demonstration at the A1000 Great North Road, next to a new set of cameras installed to implement Sadiq Khan’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

The MP said: “We have just a few more months left to get the mayor to stop this scheme that will do little to improve the capital’s air quality but leave motorists and businesses having to fork out £12.50 a day to go about their daily lives.

“The level of opposition to ULEZ is huge in Barnet and elsewhere, and it’s growing daily as the deadline of 29th August approaches when this scheme is extended across all London boroughs. I thank everyone who came to protest with me at the weekend.”

She added: “It is wrong to hammer motorists when they have no choice but to use their vehicles in places like Barnet that simply do not have sufficient public transport alternatives.

“Those who live outside of Greater London and have to drive in for work will also have to pay this levy in a classic case of taxation without representation.”

Earlier this month, the former environment secretary introduced a Ten-Minute Rule Bill in parliament seeking to limit the mayor’s ability to introduce measures such as ULEZ by giving the government the power to overturn his decisions.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.