Essex builder fears debt for new car due to ULEZ Bromley expansion

Ben Quinlan, who lives in Essex, drives a non-ULEZ compliant 2011 plate Vauxhall Astra into Bromley three times a week for work.

The 46-year-old could be “pressured” to buying a new car ahead of the ULEZ expansion in August, which carries his materials and tools for work.

He says the expansion is a “disgrace” which will cause chaos for traders in the affected area.

Ben pictured next to his car (Image: Contributor)

Ben told the News Shopper: “I go into London a lot for work, especially areas like Bromley, Dulwich, Sutton, and Surrey, where most of my customers are based.

“I’ve been in this industry for a long time, and never would have thought I’d worry about something like this.

“It’s an absolute disgrace.”

Ben, who has been a trader for 30-years, says buying a car will put a huge amount of pressure for him financially.

He will eventually feel forced into taking out a loan for a car as he does not have the money to pay it in full.

Ben explained: “Buying cars nowadays is not cheap, especially with the ULEZ expansion the prices have gone through the roof.

“I don’t have the money for it either, so I’ll have to take a loan out and go into debt which I really don’t want to do.

“I’ve recently got a new car for the family which is on finance and I’m paying that off now.

“I can’t afford to go and spend more money. 

“It’s difficult getting by at the moment especially after the coronavirus pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.

“So, this is adding extra pressure on me and the family.”

Ben worries he may lose customers if the expansion goes ahead as it’ll be “impossible” for him to pay the £12.50 charge a day.

As an alternative he could charge his customers for the ULEZ fee but fears that they’ll leave him if he decides to do so.

Ben said: “It might get to a point where I have to put my prices up. I might have to start charging the customer for the £12.50.

“I also pick up my materials I use for work from Chingford so there’s also another extra fee I have to pay.

“On top of that I pay £5 for the Dartford Crossing, so it all just adds up.

“There may be a job in Bromley for example, which might take me a month to complete, so how am I going to pay £12.50 for a whole month.

“No one’s going to pay that and eventually I’m going to lose the customers I already have in the affected areas.”

If the expansion does go ahead, Ben worries it will “destroy” the self-employed building industry.

He may consider working for a company as a result, hoping that they’ll supply a ULEZ compliant van for him.

Ben added: “I’ll just be another employee working for someone else and I don’t want to do that.

“I got in this industry to make a living my own way and not work for someone else, that’s just not who I am.

“It’s going to hit the self-employed really hard, I’ve spoken to a few of my mates and they’re also worried.”

While Ben partially agrees with the idea of restricting car use in central London, he doesn’t see the need for ULEZ in south London.

He is now hoping that the Major of London, Sadiq Khan, will reverse his ULEZ expansion plans before August.

Several ULEZ cameras have also been left vandalised across south east London in opposition to the expansion.

Pictures on social media seem to show wires on the ULEZ cameras in Knee Hill, Abbey Wood, left slashed.

A spokesperson for Mayor of London said that it is “deeply disappointing” to see opposition to the policy.

It added that this “petty” vandalism of London’s “essential” transport infrastructure is completely “unacceptable”.

A spokesperson for Transport for London said that vandalism on its network is “unacceptable.”

It added that all incidents will be reported to the police for an investigation.