Plans to introduce a charge for non-London motorists entering the capital have been slammed by a Kent MP as "catastrophic".

The Mayor of London has announced new policies under consideration to help reduce car traffic by 27 per cent by the end of the decade.

It follows a new report, commissioned by Sadiq Khan, which sets out actions required to reduce air pollution, tackle the climate emergency and cut congestion in the capital.

Under the spotlight is the controversial Greater London Boundary Charge, which has resurfaced after being first mooted last year.

If given the green light it would see drivers with vehicles registered outside the London boroughs charged each time they travel into Greater London at a cost of £3.50 a day, and increasing to £5.50 for the most polluting vehicles.

It would mean Dartford residents travelling to neighbouring Crayford to go shopping or to drop somebody off at the station would have to fork out an extra fee.

For some living in locations which only exit onto the Greater London borough it would be "unavoidable".

The Mayor is also considering further expanding the ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) across all of Greater London’s 33 boroughs, well beyond the latest boundary of the North and South Circular roads.

This is in addition to a daily levy of up to £2 to drive a petrol or diesel car in the capital under radical options being considered to tackle toxic air.

But Dartford MP Gareth Johnson has slammed the plans as "catastrophic".

The Tory said: "This latest announcement from the Mayor of London shows that the threat to Dartford's residents has not gone away.

"The Greater London Boundary Charge would be catastrophic for our residents. It is a charge which Dartfordians would have no control over but it would be very costly for those people driving into outer London.

"In addition to this, any extension on the ULEZ, which is already impacting our local health services by people travelling to Dartford instead of hospitals inside the ULEZ, would add extra pressure on our already busy Darent Valley hospital."

Mr Johnson added: "Sadiq Khan wants non Londoners to pick up the bill for his mismanagement of London’s finances but we will not accept this.

"I will not stand by and see people in our town, who have no say whatsoever in these proposals, having to pay to fund London."

Motoring organisation, the RAC urged Mr Khan to "think again", adding the plans were "poorly timed" with cleaner electrical vehicles out of most people's price range.

It also warned the proposals would likely hit workers with no alternatives hardest, such as carers, tradespeople and night-time economy staff.

Head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: "These proposals would create massive financial challenges for individuals, families and businesses who run a car in London and even for those who visit the fringes of the capital.

"We all want to see cleaner air and cleaner vehicles on the road and it’s right the Mayor has ambitions to reduce emissions from road transport but these proposals could be beyond the means of many and will punish those who simply cannot afford an electric car."

The Mayor is set to consult residents and local authorities on the changes which, if approved, could be implemented by May 2024.

As part of its feasibility studies, Transport for London will look into whether some of the journeys from non-London motorists into the capital can be transferred onto alternative forms of transport.

The net-zero report, published yesterday, said more action was required by City Hall but that the Mayor does not have the funding or powers to deliver everything that’s required alone.

Mr Khan, said: “This new report must act as a stark wake-up call for the government on the need to provide much greater support to reduce carbon emissions in London. It’s clear the scale of the challenge means we can’t do everything alone.

“But I’m not willing to stand by and wait when there’s more we can do in London that could make a big difference. We simply don’t have time to waste.

"The climate emergency means we only have a small window of opportunity left to reduce carbon emissions to help save the planet, and, despite the world-leading progress we have made over the last few years, there is still far too much toxic air pollution permanently damaging the lungs of young Londoners."

The Labour leader said it was also a matter of "social justice" with air pollution hitting the poorest communities the hardest.

Nearly half of Londoners don’t own a car, but are disproportionally impacted by polluting vehicles.

“We have too often seen measures to tackle air pollution and the climate emergency delayed around the world because it’s viewed as being too hard or politically inconvenient, but I’m not willing to put off action we have the ability to implement here in London," he added.

"I’m determined that we continue to be doers, not delayers – not only to protect Londoners’ health right now, but for the sake of future generations to come."