I had to take out £10,000 loan to buy new van because I live a few feet outside ULEZ – it’s financially wrecked us

A window fitter had to take out a £10,000 loan to buy a new van – as he lives just meters outside Sadiq Khan’s ultra-low emissions zone.

Ian Balm, 47, failed to benefit from the scrappage scheme for upgrading his 2008 Vauxhall Vivaro.

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The self-employed father of three lives on the side of his street just outside London – so is not eligible and has to cover the full costs himself.

He said the £200 monthly repayments on his loan meant he had to postpone a high-profile operation and holiday plans.

Ian said: “Financially it completely ruined us. There is no other way to look at it.

“The cost of living crisis was already felt in every way. And then Mayor Sadiq Khan comes up with such a stupid idea.”

Ian lives on a street on the Kent-London border.

Those on one side of the road are in the Bexley district and can benefit from a scrappage grant of up to £9,500.

But he is on Dartford’s side and cannot claim the money.

He also reckons he got £2,000 less than he should have made when he sold his old van because it did not comply with Ulez regulations.

Ian, married to teaching assistant Andrea, said: “I’ve only had it for 18 months. There was nothing wrong with that.

“We hadn’t had a holiday for a few years so we had saved a bit, but then Ulez came along and it was either a holiday or a new van.”

“It also had a big impact on my health. I am waiting for a total hip replacement as my hip is deformed. Walking around every day is now painful.”

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