New Ulez scheme ABANDONED for UK city as Labour council scraps proposals - 'Victory for motorists!'
The city council has now ruled out a Ulez scheme in Stoke
PA
A Conservative MP has declared "a victory for our residents" after the local council ruled out an ultra-low emmissions zone (Ulez) for the city.
Stoke on Trent City Council has ruled out Ulez within the city boundary.
The council, which became Labour-led in May, eventually ruled out the traffic measures after a petition was launched by Jonathan Gullis MP.
The MP for Stoke on Trent North welcomed the decision on social media.
Jonathan Gullis MP has welcomed the decision
PA
In a post, the MP said: "Victory for Stoke-on-Trent motorists.
"After 104 days of waiting since writing to Stoke-on-Trent City Council calling on them to SAY NO to Ulez, 15 minute cities and congestion charges coming to Stoke-on-Trent, Cllr Amjid Wazir has finally responded.
"In his response he states that 'I can confirm Stoke-on-Trent City Council has no plans to introduce a Ulez within the city boundary.'
"I am delighted that Stoke-on-Trent Labour have done the right thing and have backed my campaign, following my successful petition to the City Council where over 1,100 people called on the Council to rule out Ulez.
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Stoke on Trent City Council has confirmed it would not bring a Ulez to the city
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"It takes great bravery for Stoke-on-Trent Labour to stand up against Labour colleagues such as the London Mayor Sadiq Khan ploughing on with Ulez expansion across Greater London and Labour Party Deputy Leader Angela Rayner who previously said that Ulez 'is coming to towns and cities across the United Kingdom'.
"Thank you to everyone who backed my campaign and helped achieve this.
"A Ulez free Stoke-on-Trent is a victory for our residents."
Gullis said his party had secured millions of pounds of investment in improving road connectivity in the city.
In 2022, the then Conservative-led council proposed Class C Clean Air Zone which would see HGVs, buses, vans and taxis which do not meet emissions standards face a charge to enter.
However, Gullis said that parliament had forced the council’s hand but that the authority was “legally mandated to explore the plans”.
He added there are other ways of reducing CO2 levels and Stoke-on-Trent already already has a good track record when it comes to green policies.