Orpington mum forced to sell non-ULEZ compliant caravan

Ronnie Townsend sold her non-ULEZ-compliant Kia car and caravan in April after hearing of the Mayor of London’s scheme.

The 53-year-old single mum had initially purchased the caravan with money that was left to her by her sister and she had used the caravan to travel over the UK for holiday with her 13-year-old son.

Ronnie explained: “We use the caravan to travel over the UK, we love creating memories together.

Ronnie and her caravan (Image: Contributor)

“And I’m a single parent so you know it’s difficult. Now because of the expansion it has taken this away from us.

“How do we create memories with each other now? It was the perfect way we spent with each other.

“It’s upsetting. It really meant a lot to me.”

Ronnie says the expansion is a “disgrace” and does not consider people who cannot afford new vehicles.

She now feels “trapped” without her holiday caravan as it’s difficult to go on holiday abroad due to financial reasons.

Ronnie's caravan (Image: Contributor)

Ronnie added: “It’s completely and utterly unfair this expansion.

“It’s going to hit the pensioners, single parents, and the self-employed really hard, it really doesn’t consider them.

“It’s a disgrace.”

Ronnie, who works at Hadlow College in Tunbridge, says buying a car will put a huge amount of pressure on her financially.

It will be nearly “impossible” for Ronnie to go into debt in buying a new vehicle, especially as a single parent.

Ronnie added: “Buying a new car 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 really can’t afford to do that.”

Since the expansion was announced, Ronnie has been joining ULEZ rallies across London to show that she “strongly” disagrees with the scheme.

Ronnie says she will continue to protest against the plans until the Mayor of London reverses his decision.

Ronnie said: “I shout at the top of my lungs at these protests because it really does matter that we get our voices heard.

“The Mayor of London has to listen to the people and reverse his plans for the expansion.

“Because it’s going to destroy a lot of people financially.”

Ronnie will also be attending another ULEZ protest alongside friends in Orpington on May 13.

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.