Residents worried about the expansion of the ULEZ scheme to cover Richmond with a daily charge of £12.50 for polluting vehicles are to be offered help by the Council.

Council chiefs have set up a scheme to help those who want to explore switching to more sustainable forms of alternative transport, such as cargo bikes, e-bikes and car clubs.

The support, worth £135,000, comes on top on the Mayor of London's £110 million scrappage scheme which subsidises people and businesses who want to swap existing diesel and petrol vehicles for greener alternatives.

The expansion of ULEZ in August to cover all of London, out to the M25, has proved highly controversial with a number of councils mounting a legal challenge. Transport for London has already begun installing the number plate recognition cameras at junctions in the borough.

More than 90% of vehicles are already compliant and will avoid the ULEZ fees, however the scheme could hit Richmond residents particularly hard as the borough has the highest car ownership per household in the capital.

At the same time, many residents argue that public transport in the borough, particularly bus services, are so poor that they are not a realistic option for many.

Richmond's Lib-Dem Council has asked the mayor to delay implementation of the scheme, which is designed to remove polluting cars from the road, to allow for the scrappage scheme to be improved and help households struggling in the cost of living crisis.

In the meantime, it has established its own scheme to support households find alternatives to using their cars.

Cllr Alexander Ehmann, Chair of Richmond's Transport and Air Quality Committee said: "Addressing air quality is a top priority for Richmond upon Thames and this borough wants to build on the local cross-party consensus that the ULEZ should cover the entirety of Greater London.

"However, the speed at which the Mayor of London has sought to introduce the extension and the lack of financial support afforded to residents remains unacceptable.

"Richmond Council has called upon the Mayor to improve his offer to residents, but so far he has not heeded this call. That is why we have made the decision to intervene and support residents through our own new 'Good Move' scheme."

Residents worried about the expansion of the ULEZ scheme to cover Richmond with a daily charge of £12.50 for polluting vehicles are to be offered help by the Council.

Three different offers are available as part of the scheme:

* A three-month free trial with the Pedal My Wheels Try Before You Buy Scheme, plus a discount if a purchase is made.

* A £50 pay as you go Oyster Card for use on buses, trains, the tube and overground.

* One-year free membership and £50 driving credit for Enterprise car club or Zipcar.

Cllr Ehmann said: "Richmond Council has campaigned hard for our residents over ULEZ, but we also recognise that actions speak louder than words.

"We don't have the vast coffers of TfL, so we can't offer to address all the defects in the Mayor's London-wide scrappage scheme, but our 'Good Move' scheme offers real support to residents who are willing to consider a step-change in their future vehicle choices."

He added: "Richmond is the only Council in London to have provided ULEZ support direct to their residents. We hope that many residents will embrace the opportunity and make a 'Good Move'."

The scheme is open to residents of Richmond upon Thames only and is in addition to any financial support, schemes or offers from Transport for London. Residents will be able to choose one of the three available options. Funds are limited and are offered on a first come first served basis.

To be eligible, applicants must commit to scrapping their non ULEZ compliant vehicle within 12 months. Applicants do not need to be eligible for TfL's scrappage scheme to take advantage of our offers.

Find out more about the Good Move scheme - https://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/roads_and_transport/ultra_low_emission_zone_expansion/good_move_scheme