Johnson and Dicaprio in titanic Ulez row

Film star praises Mayor of London for policy that will have ‘five million more people breathing clean air’

Boris Johnson is facing off against Leonardo Dicaprio in a row over Sadiq Khan’s expansion of London’s ultralow emission zone (Ulez). The former prime minister is leading a group of Tory MPS to attack a “smash-and-grab raid on drivers” by the London Mayor following his decision to expand a low-emission zone across all of Greater London. But Dicaprio posted on social media praising Mr Khan for expanding Ulez. “It will help to build a better, greener, fairer London,” he said.

BORIS Johnson is facing off against Leonardo Dicaprio in a row over Sadiq Khan’s expansion of London’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez).

The former prime minister is leading a group of Conservative MPS to attack a “smash-and-grab raid on drivers” by the London Mayor after his decision to expand a low-emission zone across all of Greater London.

The intervention pits Mr Johnson against Dicaprio, the star of films such as Titanic and Catch Me if You Can. The Hollywood A-lister took to social media to lavish praise on Mr Khan for expanding Ulez.

“[It] will mean five million more people breathing cleaner air, and will help to build a better, greener, fairer London for everyone,” he said.

“This is the kind of large-scale, decision action we need to halve emissions this decade, coupled with the implementation of nature-based solutions.”

In a letter published by The Daily Telegraph, Mr Johnson was joined by Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader, Chris Grayling, the former transport secretary, and Paul Scully, the current minister for London, in criticising Mr Khan for forging ahead with imposing a £12.50 charge on cars that fail to meet minimum pollution standards.

Some 60pc of respondents to a public consultation opposed Mr Khan’s plans to expand Ulez across all of Greater London. Mr Johnson announced plans to implement the world’s first low emission zone in London back in 2015 when he was the capital’s mayor.

He has since opposed Mr Khan’s plan to expand the zone, first to the north and south circular roads and now to within sight of the M25.

Despite insisting that he would not go ahead with Ulez expansion if there was overwhelming opposition to it, Mr Khan said last week: “I didn’t call a referendum; this was a consultation.”

He also revealed his intention to roll out a “Singapore-style” network of toll roads across London once drivers have switched to electric vehicles.

The London mayor said road pricing will be introduced to replace the congestion charge and levies for the Ulez that could use a network of cameras across the capital. Mr Khan yesterday reaffirmed the policy as part of Transport for London’s business plan to invest £8.1 billion in London’s road and rail networks.

Improvements to the capital’s public transport include replacing Piccadilly line trains with a new fleet that would have the capability to be run driverless

‘This is the kind of largescale decisive action that we need to halve emissions during this decade’

if the Government signs-off money to upgrade signals and platforms.

Mr Khan, Tfl’s chairman, has repeatedly clashed with Westminster over the rollout of driverless Tube trains. Despite pressure from the Government to consider implementing driverless technology, the London mayor has branded such changes as “madness”.

Nevertheless, industry sources told the Telegraph that City Hall officials are regularly in conversation with bosses at the likes of Siemens – which is building the Piccadilly Line trains – about upgrading signalling and erecting screens on platforms to make driverless trains a reality.

Separately, the business plan set aside £150m-a-year until 2026 to be spent on building new cycle lanes.

♦ Mr Johnson has told his local Conservative Party in Uxbridge and South Ruislip that he will stand again as an MP at the next general election.

The former prime minister indicated his decision before Monday’s deadline for Conservative Party candidates to inform the party whether they wish to contest the poll, which is expected to be held in 2024.