Curry house slams Mayor Sadiq Khan over ‘unnecessary’ Ultra Low Emission Zone

By Rachael Griffiths

A curry house has been left with a bitter taste in its mouth over Sadiq Khan’s changes to London’s streets.

Shimla Pinks in Canada Water is a restaurant and take away, but has faced problems with the Mayor’s new Streetspace programme.

The Mayor has a fresh mandate to ensure a green recovery from the pandemic and to rebuild a greener, cleaner and fairer city.

ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) expansion was announced by Sadiq Khan in June 2018 following a public consultation which supported its expansion.

But the take away has been unable to deliver in certain areas because they are based in Southwark, which falls into an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

Drivers need ULEZ compliance vehicles to go through these zones, and not all drivers for Shimla Pinks have theses.

Since new congestion charges came into effect from 7am till 10pm, the business has taken a 30 per cent hit because they cannot deliver within these zones.

Bus lanes becoming 24 hours has also increased traffic and impacted their delivery times as roads are busy during peak times for take away.

But the Mayor has supported schemes to support local businesses and help them adapt to lower emissions, like switching form vans to cargo bikes for shorter distance deliveries.

Mr Abu Shalim Azim, a director for the company thinks these policies still need to change.

He thinks the expansion of ULEZ zones from North to South circle roads should be stopped and the widening of cycling lanes is unnecessary.

He said they should: “Cancel 24 hour bus lane penalty charges and mini cabs to operate in bus lanes and reduce the congestion time from 6 am to 8pm Monday to Friday, except Saturday and Sunday free of charge and change the price to £12.00.”

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “Toxic air pollution is a public health crisis.

“It causes long-lasting damage to the health of Londoners, leaving children with stunted lungs.

“In London it contributes to thousands of premature deaths every year.

“Only the most polluting vehicles that do not meet the emissions standards will need to pay the daily charge to drive in the expanded ULEZ area.

“Sadiq is proud to be pro-business, and research from the Confederation of British Industry has shown that cleaner air could boost the UK economy by £1.6 billion per year, including almost £500 million per year for the local London economy.”