A council leader says he will oppose charges for emissions if it was to be introduced into the borough.

Cllr John Burden said he was "not a fan" of the new Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and would be against seeing anything similar introduced in Gravesham.

From August 29 this year, the ULEZ will be expanded to create one single zone across all London boroughs up to the borders with surrounding counties, including Kent.

The move to help clear the capital's air and improve health has already come under fire from MPs who have branded it the "most debilitating, unfair, undemocratic form of taxation".

Gareth Johnson – who represents Dartford – hit out out at Sadiq Khan's plans during a debate at Westminster earlier this month claiming it will be "catastrophic" for his constituents.

Since the ULEZ was expanded in October last year, nearly 80,000 fines have been issued for Kent motorists, with 7,602 being handed to Gravesham residents.

Leader of Gravesham Borough Council, Cllr John Burden, said: "We had no direct contact with the Mayor of London’s office on the subject of the expansion of the ULEZ zone.

"While I recognise the mayor’s right to legislate in the way he feels is appropriate for his area, I do feel there should be a national policy around congestion and emissions charging, rather than each area doing its own thing.

"It is particularly unfair on those who live right on the border, leaving them with no option other than to drive within the ULEZ area but without the benefits of the discounts that are available to those who live within the zone. That cannot be right.

"Of course, we are all conscious of the need to cut emissions of harmful gasses and to work towards net zero targets. We are working hard to do that and are rolling out charging points across the borough, making it more attractive for our residents to move to electric vehicles.

"I prefer to take that route rather than look to congestion or emissions-based charging.

"I am not a fan of the idea of ULEZ areas, and it is not something I would want to see introduced here in Gravesham."

Around 200,000 more drivers could be slapped with a £12.50 daily fee for using London's roads when the new zone is created.

The charge does not apply to almost every petrol car registered after January 2006 - and diesel car registered after 2015.