Shoppers visiting Wembley IKEA will avoid being charged for the new Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ).

The new ULEZ boundary allows people to enter and exit the store without charge.

The ULEZ perimeter runs along the North and South Circular Roads, with the areas inside subject to new vehicle emissions rules that can land drivers with a daily bill of £12.50.

However, it appears an exception has been made near IKEA in Drury Way, as a road leading to and from the shop is exempt from the charge despite being inside the North Circular.

It is unclear why this is the case, but it has led people to question why some businesses would benefit from this dispensation and others would not.

Journalist Alex Murray spotted the anomaly earlier this year and suggested it would avoid complaints from people visiting IKEA who might be hit with a ULEZ fee.

Others suggested these exemptions, if being deliberately put in place, would be better suited to other services such as rubbish tips or crematoriums.

Liberal Democrat councillor Anton Georgiou said he was puzzled to see why the business park in Wembley would be subject to special rules.

The Alperton representative said: “I am surprised to learn that an exemption to ULEZ seems to have been made for IKEA on the North Circular.

“Making that exemption for the Abbey Road Reuse and Recycling Centre would have made much more sense.

“After all, the centre provides a vital local service for residents in Alperton and the surrounding wards to get rid of unwanted waste.

“I fear that charging people, if they have non ULEZ compliant cars, to dispose of waste will in the long run lead to greater fly tipping and rubbish dumping in our area.

“If exemptions are to be made to ULEZ, this would be more justified.”

At the launch of the ULEZ last month, London mayor Sadiq Khan said it was a major move in trying to address the damage brought about by toxic fumes.

He said: “I will not stand by while pollution leads to 4,000 Londoners dying early each year and our children growing up with stunted lungs.

“The expanded ULEZ is a vital step towards helping combat London’s illegal air and reducing the emissions that are harming our planet.”

The Mayor of London’s office and IKEA have been contacted for comment.