Twickenham and Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson, who also represents Teddington residents within her constituency, has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) in Parliament to delay the expansion of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

Alongside the calls for delay, Ms Wilson is also seeking a doubling of the scrappage scheme's budget, which was launched in February to help residents prepare for the expansion of ULEZ come August 29.

In theory, only one in 10 cars in the capital will be hit with the daily £12.50 ULEZ charge because of the emissions they produce. However, drivers in the borough of Richmond, which has the highest car ownership per household in London, are likely to be particularly hard hit.

Ms Wilson has labelled the ULEZ expansion plans as 'reckless' and called for stronger support to help residents prepare for the pending changes.

Twickenham and Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) in Parliament to delay the expansion of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) (Credit: Munira Wilson)

The Twickenham MP said: "I, and most Londoners, agree that we must clean up London's toxic air, for people and the planet. But the plans are being rushed through without enough thought for how people will cope from a financial or practical perspective.

"With so many families feeling the pain of rising inflation, mortgages and food costs, this is simply not the right time to add more pressure on people's wallets. And in areas of London with transport black spots, including parts of my own constituency in Hampton and Whitton, residents are worried about how they'll get to work or school."

Ms Wilson continued: "Transitioning to greener vehicles is the right choice for our climate and for the air we breathe, but forcing these plans through now can only be described as reckless. We hope the Mayor will heed Liberal Democrat calls to ensure a properly funded scrappage scheme and a longer lead time.

"Liberal Democrats are also calling on the Government to wake up and include additional funding to support those who commute into London from neighbouring counties, including vital key workers like teachers and nurses."

Drivers in Richmond, which has the highest car ownership per household in London, are likely to be particularly hard hit by the ULEZ expansion

As there is no specific time allocated to EDMs, Ms Wilson's motion is unlikely to be debated but is hoped to intensify pressure on City Hall to delay the expanded ULEZ plans.

Specifically, Ms Wilson's motion, which has been supported by Lib Dem leader and Kingston and Surbiton MP, Ed Davey, and Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney, calls for:

• the roll out of ULEZ to be delayed given the cost of living crisis;
• the Mayor's scrappage scheme to be doubled in value to £220 million and extended to all Londoners;
• investment in improvement of public transport in the outer boroughs;
• an additional government-funded scrappage scheme for commuters from neighbouring counties.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced an expansion to the £110m scrappage scheme from the end of July earlier this month (Credit: RBC)

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced an expansion to the £110m scrappage scheme from the end of July earlier this month, in a bid to help 'tens of thousands more Londoners, including all those receiving child benefit and all small businesses in the capital' replace their polluting vehicles.

Charities operating in London will be allowed to scrap or retrofit up to three vans or minibuses instead of just one and care workers who need support will get targeted help.

However, Richmond's Transport chief, Cllr Alexander Ehmann, has previously said the improvements do not go far enough to ensure the scheme does not cause real harm to people who need their cars for essential journeys.

The ULEZ expansion is seen as a way of improving overall air quality across London and Mr Khan's push for a healthier city.

The Mayor of London claims five million more Londoners will breathe cleaner air if the ULEZ expands for a second time.