A SERIES of ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) cameras in London have been cut down and vandalised – just days after allegedly being reinstalled.
The cameras were first installed in August last year as part of the ULEZ scheme which aims to reduce vehicle exhaust emissions by 46% in central London.
However, the move has been met with heavy resistance by some anti-ULEZ Londoners who have taken action by destroying countless numbers of the cameras across the capital.
The latest vandalism was captured by local Matt Hardy – an anti-ULEZ campaigner – who claims to have been walking his dog in Hillingdon, London when he discovered the wreckage.
Footage shows Matt walking his pup as he sarcastically says to the camera: “Oh no. Look at this, folks.”
The camera pans on a large traffic light which has been pushed onto a pavement and is smashed into pieces.
Attached to the traffic light is one of the ULEZ cameras put in place to catch any vehicles not adhering to the scheme.
Smashed glass and plastic can be seen strewn across the ground as a cardboard advert appears to be the only part of the structure which has remained intact.
Matt continues: “Here at The Prince of Wales and look what’s happened.”
He moves the camera up to show that the road is otherwise void of cars and pedestrians.
Across from Matt is The Prince of Wales restaurant, which appears to also be empty of customers.
Matt pleads his case as he pans the camera to show his dog who he claims to have been walking when he stumbled across the incident.
He says to the camera: “I’m just out walking the dog. Another one’s down. Another ULEZ on the deck.”
Matt then pans his phone around to show a further two ULEZ cameras which have also been knocked down across the road from him.
Matt can be heard saying to the camera: “There’s another one over here. Another one over there.
“So, we’ve got three down. All ULEZ corpses at The Prince of Wales, folks.”
Matt then takes a walk closer to the second camera which has been cut in half to reveal thick orange wires inside.
The toppled traffic light has subsequently been vandalised further with splatters of white paint all over it – including a crude St George’s Cross smeared over the lens of the camera.
Matt continues to explain: “That one’s been chopped clean off. This one here has gone most of the way through. Another dead ULEZ.”
Matt explains that the lights had been replaced on Friday but have been yet again the victim of vandalism.
He then shows the third camera that has been knocked down as a passing car crawls past, moving cautiously without the aid of the traffic lights.
Matt then walks over to the third traffic light that has been knocked down and is shocked that a red light can still be seen flashing as it lies broken in half on the pavement.
Matt took to social media last month to share the shocking footage, writing: “Oh dear, the wind of change strikes again.”
The post received over 3,700 likes and dozens of comments from many seemingly in support of the vandalism.
One person wrote: “Can’t believe you keep coming across this whilst walking your dog all the time.”
Another said: “Keep on doing the good work, that’s what I say.”
A third commented: “Too many people don’t care but if wasn’t for you doing what doing [sic] then be all around country in year or so. Top one and love the choppers.”
A fourth added: “Beckton needs ULEZ camera adjusting.”
A fifth wrote: “End ULEZ.”
Transport for London said on their website: “To help clear London’s air, the ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year, except Christmas Day (25 December).
“The zone operates across all London boroughs and does not include the M25.
“If your vehicle doesn’t meet the ULEZ emissions standards and isn’t exempt, you need to pay a £12.50 daily charge to drive within the zone.
“This applies to cars, motorcycles, vans and specialist vehicles (up to and including 3.5 tonnes) and minibuses (up to and including 5 tonnes).
“Lorries, vans or specialist heavy vehicles (all over 3.5 tonnes) and buses, minibuses and coaches (all over 5 tonnes) do not need to pay the ULEZ charge.
“They will need to pay the LEZ charge if they do not meet the low emission zone (LEZ) emissions standard.
“Owners of non-UK registered vehicles also need to meet the ULEZ emissions standards or pay the daily charge to drive within the zone.
“Vehicles need to be registered with our partner EPC plc, even if they meet the emissions standards.”
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