A SOUTH Essex council could have signage for the extended ULEZ environmental “tax” imposed on it, councillors fear.

At a Thurrock Council meeting on Wednesday, Jacqui Maney, Conservative councillor for Aveley and Uplands, questioned council leader Andew Jefferies on the impact of ULEZ.

She and called on him to make “strong representation to TfL to “press the administration’s ongoing objection to this extension”.

Ms Maney said: “Transport for London (TfL) are going to put ULEZ signage within the border of Thurrock. Have you sought legal advice that that can happen without the consent of this council?”

In response, Mr Jefferies said: “We are concerned even if we say no, you can’t put the signs up, which as leader of the council I am saying no, we don’t want these signs up on our land.

“We are concerned the way the legislation is written, they can override this. I’m determined the signs won’t go up unless we have some legal reason.

"We are in the process of trying to get legal advice to see if we can stop the signs from going up.”

Mr Jefferies, Conservative Councillor for Ockendon, added: “The previous leader did write to TfL and they have finally responded.

"A meeting is in the process of being set up which I will attend. Be assured I will continue to express this council’s total objection this tax on motorists which will affect some of the most vulnerable residents in our community.”

Ms Maney said she was also concerned about reports the East of England Ambulance Service may be impacted financially should the ULEZ expansion go ahead.

However, a spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service, said: “We are not expecting to be adversely impacted by the extension of the ULEZ.

“All of our frontline ambulances and rapid response vehicles are ULEZ complaint.

“The majority of the fleet for our patient transport services are also compliant. Those not compliant are predominantly in service outside the ULEZ.”