Sadiq Khan’s so-called “war on motorists” appears to be intensifying, with leaked Transport for London (TfL) documents revealing a push to crush car ownership in the capital under the guise of environmental progress. These supposed ‘long-term’ plans, supposedly intended to shape London’s future, are nothing more than an aggressive campaign aimed at punishing drivers, many of whom rely on their vehicles for everyday life. The documents—marked ‘confidential’ and leaked amid growing unrest—propose expanding controlled parking zones, hiking parking permit fees, and dramatically reducing parking spaces across London. Such measures, championed by his close advisers, would make parking virtually impossible for ordinary residents, further penalizing those who depend on their cars for work, family, or caring responsibilities.

The proposals include a controversial ‘reallocation of car parking to other modes,’ such as parklets, rain gardens, and cycle storage, in what critics describe as a blatant attempt to demonize motoring. This echoes past environmental pressure groups’ calls to slash London’s roadside parking by 25%, supposedly to promote “greener urban uses”—but in reality, it’s just a thinly veiled attack on drivers. There’s also talk of converting traffic lanes into bus and cycle-only corridors, expanding 20mph zones, and imposing destination charges that would hike prices in high-demand areas. These policies, under the guise of fighting congestion and pollution, are really about forcing Londoners out of their cars, and upon a closer look, it’s clear they’re designed to punish practical commuters rather than deliver any genuine environmental benefit.

This push comes against the backdrop of already crippling measures like the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which charges drivers £12.50 daily for non-compliant vehicles—a charge that was ramped up last year in Khan’s relentless drive to penalize motorist freedom further. The upcoming increase in the Congestion Charge from £15 to £18 in 2026 threatens to push Londoners to the brink, making it impossible for many to simply get around. Critics, including industry representatives and opposition figures, argue that these policies threaten to make London “completely unliveable for ordinary people,” with economic hardship and daily frustration becoming the norm.

Khan’s broader agenda is clear: reduce car usage by any means necessary. Since 2017, he’s been pushing policies to achieve 80% of journeys by public transport, walking, or cycling by 2041, aiming to cut three million car journeys daily. But this obsession with forcing Londoners out of their vehicles is misguided and potentially destructive. The Mayor’s past attempts at more radical policies, like the aborted zero-emission zone plans and the shelved pay-per-mile road tax, reveal an administration willing to go to great lengths to impose restrictions, often at the expense of ordinary residents and businesses.

Furthermore, TfL’s aggressive enforcement efforts—ramping up investigations, employing bailiffs, and recovering millions in unpaid fines—highlight an administration increasingly focused on squeezing drivers financially rather than offering practical solutions. Add to this the distorted claims about environmental benefits, which have come under criticism from watchdogs for overstating pollution reductions, and it’s clear we’re dealing with a government more interested in virtue signaling than delivering real progress.

For all their talk of creating a greener London, these leaked proposals simply confirm that the current leadership views motorists as the enemy, prioritizing environmental dogma over practicality and fairness. They want to turn London into a city where having a car is a hardship—another step towards a more controllable, less mobile city, where choice and freedom are squeezed under the guise of environmental virtue. The question is whether London’s residents will continue to accept this relentless assault on their mobility or finally stand up and demand policies that respect their rights and practical needs.

Source: Noah Wire Services