The extension of the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (Ulez) in the capital later this year should stop at the Thames bordering Richmond until Hammersmith Bridge is fully restored, a Conservative councillor has argued.

Cllr Seamus Joyce brought forward the motion at Richmond's full council meeting last night (January 26), arguing that residents and local businesses in Barnes, Mortlake, Sheen and Kew will be severely impacted if the Ulez boundary goes ahead as planned later this year.

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that from October 25, 2021 the central Ulez is increasing to create a "single larger zone".

The expansion will reach up to the North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205), although the roads themselves are not in the zone.

Under the scheme Richmond borough will be split, with some areas such as Townmead Recycling Centre and Mortlake Crematorium in the Ulez zone, while the rest of the borough is outside.

The Ulez operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a £12.50 daily charge for vehicles that do not meet the required emissions standards that need to go into or cross the zone.

Read more: Hear from TfL on Richmond's inclusion in Ultra Low Emission Zone

Cllr Joyce wanted the council to write to the Mayor and Transport for London to defer the extension to extend the Ulez into Richmond to give more time for residents to upgrade their vehicles and to stop traffic gridlock around the bridge when lockdown measures ease.

He said if the extension was to go ahead as planned there would be a "massive increase in flytipping" due to the charge to cross the boundary to access the recycling centre.

He also feared there could be "untold anguish and stress for grieving families visiting Mortlake Crematorium".

But the leading Liberal Democrat group opposed the motion, citing previous cross-party consensus, which preferred to see the Ulez expanded to the full extent to the M25.

Read next: Row over Richmond's possible inclusion in congestion charge zone

This is because the current boundary plans cause an "arbitrary dividing line" within communities.

Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee, Cllr Alexander Ehmann, said the Richmond Conservative group was "all over the place on this issue".

He said: "This council has continually argued that the correct boundary should be the M25. It is disappointing that the Conservatives are breaking with this cross-party consensus.

"Wandsworth have the same issues as we face with an amenity site and many other facilities stuck within a Ulez zone where the rest of the borough is not covered.

"They would do well to take a leaf out of their Conservative counterpart's book who said tackling poor air quality is a priority for their council and they are broadly supportive of the proposals."

The motion failed to pass.

Online discussion

Next Monday (February 1) residents are invited to join an online discussion to hear from representatives from TfL and the council about the extension of the ULEZ.

Residents will be able to ask questions about the implications of the scheme and how best to prepare.

It take place on Zoom from 6.30pm – 8pm.

Registration is open here.