Belvedere man uses dinosaur to block ULEZ cameras

We spoke to Paul Sullivan, the man behind the dinosaur costume, who explained that he noticed that the ULEZ expansion was causing great concern in his community and so decided to take action after it was implemented on August 29.

Paul, 36, told the News Shopper: “My biggest gripe that I had with it is when it was spoken about, the majority of people decided they didn't want it expanded but the audacity of the mayor forced it out to the edges of Greater London.

“For the people that live on the outskirts or people have to drive into London, whether be that traders, self-employed, small businesses, or even carers for elderly family members – for the majority of people that £12.50 a day is just unachievable financially.”

Paul explained that his choice of attire was initially inspired by a TikTok video featuring tall dinosaur costumes, which was particularly effective at blocking the view of enforcement cameras used to enforce the ULEZ.

He said: "It was a practical choice as it allowed me to effectively block the cameras without needing to hold a sign or engage in other activities.

Paul also emphasised that his approach aims to engage people in the topic and bring smiles to people's faces.

Paul wears a tall dinosaur costume which he uses to block the view of enforcement cameras used to enforce the ULEZ. (Image: PS)

He added: “No matter how badly affected people have been, or even those that haven't been, seeing somebody in a dinosaur or fancy-dress outfit puts a little smile on their face and it brings back that sort of solidarity and unity that people can get from talking to each other.”

Paul, who lives in Belvedere, explained that it seemed to be an issue that always came up in conversation in his community: “It is a topic that you hear being discussed even around the supermarket and it just seemed to be something that was always at the forefront of people's minds and has been causing a lot of doubt and worries.

“There has not been a single interaction or person that I have spoken to who has said: ‘It's fantastic they pushed it out this far’.

“Even the local borough, Bexley, decided to try to fight against the implementation of the actual expansion of the cameras into the borough, but they lost the high court case against TfL and the mayor.”

People who drive in the zone in a vehicle that does not meet minimum emissions standards are now required to pay a £12.50 daily fee or risk a £180 fine, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.

The Mayor of London says that this will bring the health benefits of cleaner air to all Londoners and claims that nine out of ten cars and eight out of ten vans seen driving on an average day already meet the ULEZ standards.

Paul said: “Whilst I have a compliant car and I have lots of friends that have compliant cars, I also know a lot of don't have compliant cars and even people that have electric cars – I speak to loads of people who are still on our side. “

TfL has begun deploying ULEZ vans following the damage caused to the stationary cameras, but some protesters like Paul have taken to using some approaches to try and render the cameras ineffective.

Paul explained that he considered himself as a type of ULEZ activist which has been referred to as a” blocker" and also clarified that he believed that they are lawful as they do not engage in vandalism or criminal activities.

A group referred to as the “blade runners” have gained a reputation for physically damaging the cameras and vans used to enforce the ULEZ fees.

Paul explained that more people have began protesting in dinosaur costumes in the area (Image: PS)

Paul said: “I'm not protesting because I’m not for greener and cleaner air, I think everybody is up for that, but they're not up for the way it's been put out and the impact it is having on them.

“I respect people that you know don't agree with me because every voice matters. It doesn't matter what your opinion is, you're entitled to have that and to share it, whether it's correct or incorrect, that's a different matter.

“We generally do receive some sort of reaction from vehicles passing or pedestrians, it's astronomical.

“Maybe eight or nine vehicles out of ten sound like the horns, cheer or shout something constructive or maybe something less constructive back towards TfL but there has been nobody that I've encountered that have stopped me and said ‘Why don't you grow up and do something else?’ Nobody has confronted me like that.”

Paul explained that more anti-ULEZ dinosaurs had got on the bandwagon and that there are now around 10 running around south east London and the wider areas, sometimes teaming up with Paul on their protests.