BOSSES of a Wickford car finance firm have slammed the controversial expansion of the ultra emissions zone.

The changes, due to come into force from August 29, will mean that drivers who currently live in the outer boroughs of London will be forced to pay the daily £12.50 ULEZ fee if their vehicle is not compliant with strict emission standards.

Ian Francombe, sales director at Octane Finance in Wickford who lives near of Orpington, said: “Both Orpington and Dartford’s MPs are against the plans, however Mayor Khan seems hell-bent on raising funds for London by taxing the very people who are the most vulnerable and who are already facing a cost-of-living crisis.

“We’re also seeing the values of non-ULEZ cars decreasing more quickly as they become undesirable from a resale perspective - and we’re not talking about old bangers here - there are certain mainstream models such as the 2015 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 diesel model, which aren’t ULEZ compliant.”

Anti-ULEZ protestors who resort to vandalising cameras have been issued a stark warning by London mayor Sadiq Khan. Anyone caught tampering with a camera installed for London-wide ULEZ purposes could be charged for criminal damage.