20 September 2023 , 15:12
975
0
A set of traffic lights has been found cut in two as a protest at the ULEZ area in London.
Opinion has been divided online following the attack in Dartford while a driver, who didn't want to be named, said they were shocked to see the lights damaged on the school run this morning.
The Ultra-Low Emission Zone 'ULEZ' was expanded from August 29 - meaning thousands more drivers face paying a daily £12.50 charge to drive in all London boroughs.
The lights at a crossing on Crayford Way are seen spliced in half with electrical wires exposed. A red sticker on the post reads "ULEZ spy camera" with an arrow pointing upwards.
The extensive damage has led to differing views on social media, including from anti-ULEZ supporters, with some seeing it as a risk to pedestrians who need to use the crossing.
Pet owners driving with dogs face £5,000 fine if they break these rules
Some welcomed the news, with positive comments including: "Beautiful", "Oh dear, how sad, never mind", and "Bravo". While other comments were not so encouraging of the action: "Stop cutting down traffic lights. Just cut the camera." Another wrote: "All this is great but in the long run it's us who will have to pay for replacements," and a further said: "Why not just cut the camera off instead of the whole pole. Traffic lights and pedestrian crossing lights still needed!"
Others agreed with one stating: "Now that's just stupid ..get the camera..yes. But traffic lights at a crossing ... kids and the old use that for safety." ULEZ now covers all London boroughs, previously it only included areas within the North and South Circular Roads. ULEZ is aimed at lowering pollution and emissions levels in London.
It targets the most polluting vehicles - typically older cars - and if your car isn't ULEZ-compliant, you need to pay each day you drive into the zone. London mayor Sadiq Khan first confirmed ULEZ will be expanding last November. Nearly 700,000 drivers in Greater London could be liable to pay the ULEZ charge, according to the RAC. ULEZ was first introduced by Mr Khan in 2019 based on plans laid out by Boris Johnson. Initially, the zone only covered the area of Central London, covering the same area as the congestion charge.
* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up The Mirror's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected]