Taxi firms and car dealers have voiced their concerns about how their businesses would suffer if low emissions zones that have caused controversy in London were to spread to cities like Stoke-on-Trent.

The ultra-low emissions zones (ULEZ) have become a political hot potato since the Conservatives managed to hold onto Boris Johnson's former Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat at a recent by-election.

The party's campaigning against London mayor Sadiq Khan's proposals for the £12.50 a day charge on certain older vehicles was largely seen as decisive in their victory.

Now, Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis has launched a petition against an ULEZ zone being introduced in Stoke-on-Trent, although there are no plans for one.

Mr Gullis says his campaign is about getting the council to commit to never bringing in the controversial scheme. But the council's Labour leadership hit out, saying it was Conservative government policies that were causing the most strife for motorists.

In light of Mr Gullis' campaign, we've spoken to the kinds of businesses that would have to adapt if such a plan was ever hatched here.

Mr Gullis says his campaign is about getting the council to commit to never bringing in the controversial scheme (LDRS).

Taxi driver Paul Wilkes says such proposals would have a significant impact on his business if they ever came into force.

He said: "It would massively harm our business if it was to come in. The majority of taxi drivers now are going to hybrid cars, but not everybody.

"If it was to come in it would be a big expense for some taxi drivers because they'd have to upgrade their car.

"They can't pay the daily charge every day, every time they're in and out of a low emission zone, it just wouldn't be profitable doing the job.

"If you imagine a £7 job, it just wouldn't be worth it if you've got a normal diesel car.

"But we've all got to move with the times, taxi drivers included. They maybe should be looking at it."

Mr Wilkes said Stoke-on-Trent is a low paid area, and taxi drivers face a lot of charges which they struggle to pass on to passengers.

Local taxi drivers say the proposals would have a significant impat on business (LDRS).

He said: "Everything's gone up – insurance, fuel, general maintenance on cars – it's always a percentage on fares.

"If you put the taxi fares up, the general public know about it, they soon make you aware of it.

"It's as if you're a 'not worthy' industry. People have you late at night, drunk and making a mess of your car.

"If you tell them how much [the fare is] straight away it's an argument. Who'd want to work late on a Saturday night for minimum pay?

"That's why some drivers get out of the industry. It's a low-paid industry for a lot of hassle that comes with it."

Used car retailer Umesh Sumani also thinks introducing charges would make life difficult for people and the knock-on effect would be damaging for businesses.

He said: "I deal with cars, anything £5,000-£50,000 and I think it would affect a lot of cars.

"We're not really geared up in Stoke-on-Trent for electric vehicles – London might be, and Birmingham is getting that way, with electric chargers but I just don't think Stoke-on-Trent is ready to have of electric vehicles on mass.

"There are lots of older vehicles in this area, so all those people are going to suffer if they can't go into the city or the towns if they start charging.

"Personally I think it would affect lots and lots of businesses – people just won't drive into the area.

"If you think of Hanley as it is at the moment, it's crumbling away, people aren't coming into the city itself. I'd be against bringing a ULEZ in Stoke-on-Trent, personally."

Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said the government was insistent on pushing projects that would impact motorists in Stoke-on-Trent (Nub News).

He also believes many people won't be able to afford to swap to electric vehicles.

In 2022, the Conservative administration in Stoke-on-Trent put forward plans to introduce a Clean Air Zone in the city centre, which would be applicable only to commercial vehicles.

Mr Gullis said that parliament had forced the council's hand but that the authority was "legally mandated to explore the plans".

He added he and other Conservatives had "repeatedly pushed back" against the plans, adding: "The 'CAZ C' option explored by Stoke-on-Trent City Council would not apply to privately owned vehicles, only the most polluting commercial vehicles such as taxis and buses, therefore not punishing the average Stokie motorist as a ULEZ would."

He said the petition is about trying to ensure Stoke-on-Trent City Council rules out polices that he believes would punish motorists and harm businesses.

Mr Gullis said: "This is about giving confidence to motorists in Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding areas like Kidsgrove and Talke so that access to our city by motor vehicle can never be undermined."

Mr Gullis added his party had secured millions of pounds of investment in improving road connectivity in the city, and urged people to back his petition.

He said there are other ways of reducing CO2 levels and Stoke-on-Trent already already has a good track record when it comes to green policies.

Jane Ashworth, the Labour leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said the government was insistent on pushing projects that would have a real impact on motorists in Stoke-on-Trent.

And she highlighted the controversial bus gate plan at Basford Bank – which would see the road closed at rush hour to all vehicles except buses – as an example, adding: "We've commissioned research to show that the displacement of traffic onto other routes will cause more harm to more people than is currently being caused.

"People in Stoke-on-Trent know that the talk about bus gates and congestion charges all comes from directives from central government. I think Mr Gullis is just hopeful that has escaped some people's notice."

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