A new law that would see Sadiq Khan’s expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone reversed is being presented in Parliament on Wednesday.
Tory MP Gareth Johnson is proposing legislation that, if passed, would mean TfL could not amend the boundaries of clean air zones without the permission of ministers.
The Ulez was extended to cover all of London in August and sees the drivers of older, more polluting vehicles face a £12.50-a-day charge.
Dartford MP Mr Johnson branded the Ulez expansion a “cruel taxation”.
But the Mayor has said the measure is "necessary to tackle toxic air pollution and protect Londoners’ health".
A spokesman for Mr Khan added: "Ministers have given funding to numerous UK cities to introduce clean air zones including in Birmingham and Bristol, and the Government is under legal obligations to tackle air pollution.
"We have received no indication that ministers intend to renege on their commitment to devolution in cities and communities across the country."
Mr Johnson's anti-Ulez proposed will be presented on Wednesday and is expected to be debated in January.
He told The Standard: “The reason why I’m tabling this bill is to overturn the Ulez expansion which took place in August.
“It has had a profound impact not just on Dartford, my constituency which borders London, but also the whole of the South East.”
He argued that Mr Khan did not have a mandate for the extension of Ulez to London’s suburbs as it was not in his election manifesto or original transport plans.
The proposal's full title is the Bill to amend the boundaries of the Greater London Low Emission Zone; to provide that Transport for London may not make an order amending those boundaries without the consent of the Secretary of State; and for connected purposes.
The high court dismissed on all grounds a legal challenge by five councils against the Ulez expansion, ruling in July that it was lawful.
Private member’s bills normally have little chance of success.
But if the Government decides to back them then ministers can find time to get them through the Commons.
Given how the Tories jumped on their victory in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election earlier this year, where Ulez was a key factor, the Government may be tempted to offer its support to Mr Johnson.
Susan Hall, the Tory candidate for Mayor of London, has made reversing Ulez a major part of her campaign against Labour's Mr Khan.
However, polls suggest she will lose to Mr Khan, possibly by a large margin.It comes as the Met on Monday said police had recorded 1,095 crimes relating to Ulez cameras between April 1 and November 30.
This includes 252 reports of cameras being stolen and 843 of the devices being damaged, the force said.
Six men have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
Joseph Nicolls, 42, from Sidcup, was charged with criminal damage, malicious communications and handling stolen goods, as well as aiding or abetting the destruction of property valued over £5,000. He has been bailed ahead of a trial at Woolwich Crown Court on June 10, 2024.
Stephen Nunn, 39, from Bromley, pleaded guilty to criminal damage on November 13 and will be sentenced on December 13.
A 52-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and has been bailed until December 19 pending further enquiries.
A 45-year-old man was arrested on October 4 on suspicion of conspiring to commit criminal damage to Ulez cameras and encouraging or assisting offences to be committed.
He has been bailed until mid-December. A 51-year old man from Bromley was cautioned on November 5 for criminal damage and a 44-year-old man charged in May with criminal damage had their case discontinued by the CPS on June 9.
A police spokesman said: “The Met continues to treat criminal activity in relation to ULEZ seriously and has deployed considerable resources to our operation. Where there are possible lines of enquiry, local investigators will follow up using a range of investigative approaches including CCTV trawls, witness searches and an assessment of forensic opportunities.”
