A petition against the roll out of the new Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to greater London has now been signed by more than 9,000 Sutton residents.

It was started by Sutton Council a month ago and calls on the Mayor of London to halt the scheme, which is set to come into force on August 29.

It will see drivers of the most polluting cars charged £12.50 a day in all parts of London.

The petition asks that the ULEZ expansion is not expanded until public transport in Sutton is “improved significantly” and that the proposed scrappage scheme is improved.

It also calls for the expansion to be delayed until the cost of living crisis is over.

The petition calls on the Mayor of London to think again about the extension of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone to Sutton unless public transport in the borough is improved significantly; the vehicle scrappage scheme for drivers to convert their cars to ULEZ requirements is expanded; and the cost of living crisis is over.

Council leader, Councillor Ruth Dombey, said: “We’ve been telling the mayor for over a year now that this scheme, as he has laid it out, does not work for us here.

"We need better access to public transport, a bigger and better scrappage scheme to help those people who to get rid of their vehicles.

“But most of all, during a cost of living crisis how can we expect people who are really struggling to have to make such big financial decisions, this scheme is going to have the worst impact on the people that can least afford it.”

Cllr Dombey called for those living in, working in and visiting Sutton to sign the petition, adding: “We need to speak with one voice and take that voice to City Hall.”

However, some on social media said they want ULEZ to be blocked altogether and not just delayed.

On Twitter one person said: “Ruth, I want to sign your petition but, it says delay the ULEZ. I want it blocked completely as it is a tax not about pollution at all.”

Another asked why Sutton Council has not joined a legal challenge which other London boroughs have sought.

She said: “I have signed, but surely joining legal action would have been a better demonstration of strength of feeling? This feels like an exercise to say ‘we tried’, whilst not trying.”

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “The Mayor has been clear that the decision to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone London-wide was not an easy one, but necessary to tackle toxic air pollution.

"Around 4000 Londoners die prematurely each year due to air pollution, children are growing up with stunted lungs and thousands of people in our city are developing life-changing illnesses, such as cancer, lung disease, dementia and asthma.”