Furious residents say London Mayor Sadiq Khan's scheme designed to cut pollution means they are being' taxed' to RECYCLE.

They told how the new ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) means they will be charged a £12.50 "sting in the tail" every time they visit their local recycling centre.

Every time drivers want to go inside Townmead Road Re-use and Recycling Centre in Richmond, south west London, they'll now have to pay the £12.50 fee if their car does not comply with London's new ULEZ restrictions.

The controversial zone was expanded on Monday to cover all areas within the North and South Circular roads - home to some 3.8 million people.

The recycling centre now falls just short of the A205 South Circular boundary which runs over Kew Bridge and is exempt from the emissions tax.

A camera will capture anyone leaving the recycling centre or Mortlake Crematorium on Townmead Road, meaning people driving diesel cars registered before September 2015 are likely to be taxed.

The same is true for vans registered before September 2016 and any petrol cars before 2001.

Councillors and residents are concerned about accessing key services and said people who are trying to save the planet or bury their loved ones could end up being penalised.

James Coleman, 36, a business director who lives nearby, said: "It's a sting in the tail for people wanting to recycle or bury their loved ones at the cemetery.

"At a time when the future of this planet is being debated at COP26, taxing people for doing the right thing seems wholly unfair.

"Having a camera at the end of cul-de-sac doesn't make sense, because it's going to be used as a rat run.

"It's only being used by residents and people wanting to save the planet or bury their loved ones.

"I'm definitely going to drag my Christmas tree down the road, rather than driving, this year.

"Saying residents can go to Hounslow seems like a flippant response and doesn't solve the issue at hand."

The decision to expand ULEZ was taken to try and remove polluting cars from the capital's busy streets and improve residents' health.

But Mr Coleman saidd: "This is a camera on a tiny side road going to local community services so I think it's targeting people in the wrong way.

"I think the rest of the boundary makes sense, but this seems like a glaringly obvious way

"I understand you can't please everyone, but this is a legitimate reason to rethink."

Other angry residents were also quick to point out the contradiction of cutting back emissions while dissuading people from recycling.

Frances Mary, 28, a content writer who also lives just off Townmead Road, said: "It's frustrating to see those wishing to do good being penalised.

"While it may not be a large number of motorists who are affected, any barrier to recycling doesn't help the bigger picture.

"I just wish a little more thought had gone into the boundary line.

"To go out of the way to include this in the ULEZ zone doesn't seem right."

But Mayor Sadiq Khan has refused to grant any exemptions, saying 80 per cent of drivers will not be affected.

He urged residents to use an alternative centre in Hounslow if their vehicle exceeds the ULEZ threshold and they do not wish to be charged.

In his letter, the mayor wrote: "The aim of ULEZ is to reduce harmful emissions from road transport.

"This is important because poor air quality stunts the growth of children's lungs and worsens chronic illness such as asthma and heart disease.

"A study from Imperial College London found that in 2019 toxic air contributed to the premature deaths of more than 4,000 Londoners."

Mr Khan added: "Richmond residents who have vehicles that do not meet the standards and do not want to pay the ULEZ charge, or do not want to use a waste collection service, can use the Space Waye reuse and recycling centre in Hounslow."