Hertfordshire County Council leader Richard Roberts has expressed his disappointment after Sadiq Khan's plans to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone were ruled as lawful.

The High Court ruled in favour of the Mayor of London, after Five Conservative-led councils had challenged his proposals to charge older, more polluting vehicles £12.50 a day from August 29.

Following the ruling, the expanded zone now reaches Hertfordshire's borders, much to the frustration of Hertfordshire County Council leader Richard Roberts, who has previously called on Mr Khan to reconsider the plans, also claiming legal options will be considered if ULEZ signs and cameras appearing within the county's borders.

Herts Advertiser: Anti ULEZ campaigners outside the Royal Courts of Justice today.Anti ULEZ campaigners outside the Royal Courts of Justice today. (Image: PA Images/PA Wire)

In a statement following the High Court ruling, Cllr Roberts said: "I am hugely disappointed in the ruling of the Court and stand by my previous comments on the expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone.

"This is the wrong scheme at the wrong time and will do nothing but penalise some of the lowest earners in society who need their older vehicles to travel to work, see friends and care for relatives.

"The Mayor needs to go back to the drawing board with these proposals and produce a scheme that works for everyone, not just those living inside the M25 particularly as many Hertfordshire residents who will be impacted by the ULEZ continue to see their incomes squeezed by the rising cost of living."

Reacting to the decision, Mr Khan said: "The decision to expand the ULEZ was very difficult and not something I took lightly, and I continue to do everything possible to address any concerns Londoners may have.

"The coming expansion will see 5 million more Londoners being able to breathe cleaner air.

"Nine out of 10 cars seen driving in outer London on an average day are already compliant, so won’t pay a penny – yet will still see the benefits of cleaner air.

"Air pollution is an urgent public health crisis – our children are growing up with stunted lungs, and it is linked to a host of serious conditions, from heart disease to cancer and dementia."