West Wickham classic car collector opposes ULEZ plans 

Lee Rose, who has collected classical cars for 15 years, currently drives a 30-year-old MG RV8 and a 23-year-old MG F Mark Two.

The 61-year-old could be “pressured” into selling his cars as it will be “pointless” keeping them as they are non-ULEZ compliant.

He says the expansion is an “absolute joke” which will cause chaos for classic car collectors inside the ULEZ zone.

Lee's cars (Image: Lee Rose)

Lee explained: “I’ve owned these two for 15 years in total now, and the thought of potentially losing them, stresses me out.

“It’s not fair, it’s really not fair.

“Why is this happening now? Especially in a time of difficulty with the cost-of-living crisis.

“It’s really shocking. It’s come in at such a difficult time for people.”

Lee, who is semi-retired, revealed that he already pays a “huge” amount of money to maintain and service his cars every year.

Lee with his cars (Image: Lee Rose)

To pay £12.50 a day would be “financially impossible” for Lee to maintain the cars and add onto what he already spends.

Lee explained: “A lot of time and effort goes into owning cars like this as they must be serviced.

“I wouldn’t be able to give you an exact figure but it’s a lot, as you want them to look nice and well-maintained.

“But all the years of hard work are now going to go to waste.”

Lee usually uses his cars out during the summer to attend car shows across London, Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. 

Lee with his car (Image: Lee Rose)

He is part of a classic car community but worries that they’ll be a “thing of the past” if the ULEZ scheme goes ahead.

Lee feels restricted by Sadiq Khan’s plans as he’ll now be limited to what events he can attend after the expansion in August.

Lee added: “I love going to car shows and supporting people at these events.

“I’ve always done it, especially being semi-retired now I like to do it more often.

“We’re like a community at the shows, everyone has a smile on their faces when you go and see each other.

“But this will be all taken away from us if ULEZ does go ahead.”

Although classic cars over 40 years of age are exempt from paying ULEZ charges, Lee is still concerned for other motorists.

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

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

Lee added: “It’s not just as classical car collectors, this will affect everyone and everything.

“Businesses will be affected, people who use their cars for jobs, builders, and a lot of self-employed people.

“So the only answer is for Khan to reverse his plans.”

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.