Action against Unfair Ulez
© JAMIE LORRIMANMembers of the Action against Unfair Ulez group blocked cameras for three hours in Sutton on Sunday
Anti-Ulez activists have blocked "every camera" in Sutton in a protest at Sadiq Khan's controversial scheme.

Around 400 protesters took part in the borough-wide demonstration, which organisers say involved obstructing more than 80 cameras on Sunday afternoon.

Bus driver Kingsley Hamilton, of campaign group Action Against Unfair Ulez, said the demonstration meant that no Ulez camera was functioning in the south London borough - as at least 20 other cameras have already been damaged or removed.

Motorists driving through Sutton were previously not impacted by the Ultra Low Emission Zone daily charges of ยฃ12.50 per day for non-compliant vehicles.

However, London mayor Mr Khan's expansion of the scheme last year saw around 90 per cent of the borough fall under Ulez rules overnight.
of Ulez cameras
© JAMIE LORRIMANPlacards and posters were used to block the view of Ulez cameras
The decision was fiercely opposed by the council and a petition set up to delay the expansion until public transport in Sutton had "improved significantly" amassed thousands of signatures.

On Sunday, between 12pm and 3pm, activists held up signs in front of cameras which enforce the scheme allowing motorists with non-compliant vehicles to drive through the borough for free.

Mr Hamilton, 45, told The Telegraph: "There are 107 cameras that we are aware of but a lot of them have been deactivated.

"We got at least 80 covered today, so every single camera in the borough is either deactivated or is being covered with a placard today.

"We've put messages out on social media advertising the fact it is only for three hours, so drivers can do what they would normally do - like visit a relative in hospital, without being fined."

Mr Hamilton, who brought his 1967 Routemaster bus to the demonstration, lives in Wallington with his wife Hannah.

The couple have a Volkswagen Tiguan which they use to drive their two-year-old son Teddy to hospital appointments.

The toddler has primary ciliary dyskinesia, a rare disorder which affects the airways and means he often suffers from lung infections.
Ulez camera in Sutton
© JAMIE LORRIMANA cardboard box is used to cover a Ulez camera in Sutton
Mrs Hamilton, 40, who attended the protest as well said: "We can't afford to buy a new car and if my son needs to go to hospital, I'm not going to wait for an ambulance - I'm going to drive him myself."

While standing at the Rosehill Roundabout in Sutton, Mr Hamilton and his fellow activists received several beeps in support from drivers as they passed, including motorists in smaller and seemingly compliant cars.

"Even people who have compliant cars had to fork out and get unaffordable loans to buy these compliant cars," Mr Hamilton said.

"So it's all very well saying that people have compliant cars now, but they've still got that loan to pay off, that loan that they didn't need during a cost of living crisis."

Some anti-Ulez activists have previously taken their rage even further - with so-called "Blade-Runners" ripping down or damaging cameras - a criminal offence.

However, Mr Hamilton was keen to stress that his group would not be breaking the law.

He said: "Some of the cameras in the borough have already been deactivated. Obviously, that has nothing to do with us, we are not condoning any criminal activity."

The Telegraph has approached the Mayor of London and Transport for London for a response.

A Met Police spokesman said: "Police are aware of a protest at the Rose Hill Roundabout in Sutton today, Sunday 11 February. The protest passed peacefully and no arrests were made. The group have now left the area."