Londoners Fight Back Against ULEZ Cameras with Shopping Bags and Boxes
Shopping bags and cardboard boxes are popping up on London’s new ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras, installed by Transport for London (TfL) ahead of the massive ULEZ expansion this August.
Over 300 of these cameras have already been slapped up across the capital, with a whopping 2,750 set to be in place by August 29 – the day the Ultra Low Emission Zone stretches to cover almost all of Greater London.
Bold Vandalism Sends a Message
Some defiant locals aren’t just blocking cameras – they’re making their feelings clear. One vigilante placed a box over a camera reading “stop electing idiots.” This isn’t just vandalism; it’s a direct message to the public and Mayor Sadiq Khan’s controversial scheme.
The ULEZ charges drivers £12.50 daily if their vehicle doesn’t meet emissions standards, with the aim of cutting city pollution. But critics say it unfairly targets the poor and those on low incomes.
Mixed Reactions as Protests Grow
Supporters of the camera cover-ups have flooded social media:
- Chris Rose exclaimed: “Absolutely love that locals are covering the money-grabbing ULEZ cameras with cardboard boxes and bags for life!”
- Elliana Eaton called it “Brilliant!! Yet another tax on the poor. I can’t believe it’s coming to Greater London in August.”
- Others suggest smart tactics, like tying weights to bags to stop them flying off.
But not everyone’s pleased. Twitter user Scott queried: “Who wants to live in a city with dirty air?” highlighting the scheme’s environmental goals.
Vandalism Escalates: Cameras Damaged and Wires Cut
It’s not just boxes and bags. In Abbey Wood, Greenwich, four cameras were found with cut wires and black-painted lenses. Similar sabotage hit cameras in west Sutton and Catford, Lewisham, including cameras ripped off their mounts.
Vandals hope blocking camera views will help drivers dodge the daily £12.50 fee despite non-compliance with ULEZ standards.
Farmers Join the ULEZ Revolt
Tractor parades rolled through Orpington, southeast London, as farmers and residents rallied against the ULEZ expansion. Gareth Bacon MP slammed the scheme:
“Not only is the mayor taxing people who don’t vote for him, he’s punishing the poor and those who can least afford newer cars to avoid the charge.”
Several outer London boroughs – including Bexley, Bromley, Harrow, and Hillingdon – have yet to get cameras installed. Their councils are preparing legal action against the expansion plans.
Khan Defends ULEZ Amid Backlash
Sadiq Khan has called critics a mix of “far-right, Covid deniers, vaccine deniers, and Tories,” sparking heated exchanges during a public Q&A in west London. He admitted decent people with legitimate grievances are mixed with conspiracy theorists and extremists.
The mayor also revealed plans to explore using ULEZ cameras for a future “pay-as-you-drive” tolling system, inspired by Singapore’s electronic road pricing. This could see Londoners charged based on mileage, location, and even traffic levels.
For now, the technology isn’t fully ready, but the ULEZ cameras are a key step toward that vision – raising fresh privacy concerns among campaigners.
Is London Ready for a City-Wide Pollution Tax?
As the August deadline looms, Londoners remain divided. While some embrace the green crackdown, others are gearing up with boxes, bags, and tractors to resist what they see as an unfair financial burden.
With growing protests and mounting vandalism, Sadiq Khan’s green ambition is encountering fierce resistance – and the fight for London’s streets is just heating up.
