The leader of Brent Council has called on the Mayor of London to protect poorer people as the new ultra-low emissions zone (ULEZ) comes into effect.

Cllr Muhammed Butt noted that the new measures, which are designed to improve London’s air quality, could place an extra burden on the borough’s poorer residents.

The council has backed Sadiq Khan’s plans but wants him to ensure that there will be a smooth – and fair – transition for those who will be affected by the new laws.

Cllr Krupa Sheth, responsible for the environment at Brent Council, said: “We fully support the mayor’s commitment to getting London’s air cleaner, but we need the Government to do more to encourage us all to adopt more sustainable forms of transport.

“The expansion of the new zone will help, but as it cuts our borough in half we want to make sure that residents won’t be unfairly penalised.

“Hardworking Brent residents and businesses, many of who struggle to make ends meet, should not be adversely impacted.”

The ULEZ will replace the T-charge and will apply to the area inside the North Circular Road from April 8 next year. London’s congestion charge will remain in place.

In Brent, the expanded zone will stretch to cover the south-east of the borough, including Stonebridge, Willesden, Harlesden and Dollis Hill.

While there is a three-year ‘sunset period’ for vehicles with a disabled or a disabled passenger class, and a two-year one for charity minibuses, the council wants further guarantees put in place.

This includes protection for people who live on the edge of the zone, as well as a discounted rate within a buffer zone along the new boundary for those residents who need to travel across it regularly to get between work and home when no cost effective travel alternative is available.

Cllr Butt has also called on the Government to introduce a “properly-funded” diesel scrappage scheme to help people who will be affected by the ULEZ get their cars up to standard.