More Clean Air Zones

“Clean air zones” targeting drivers of high-polluting vehicles should be extended to more cities in England, the Commons environment committee has

20:42 29 April 2016

The Commons environment committee has said that enhanced powers allowing certain cities to charge high-polluting vehicles to discourage them from entering the city centre should be extended to more cities in England. 

 

The enhanced powers have been granted to London, Birmingham, Leeds, Derby, Nottingham and Southampton. 

 

Last year, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs outlined plans to introduce additional five clean air zones by 2020 to comply with European Union law that limits on nitrogen dioxide in air.

 

The proposed clean air zones will only affect older buses, lorries, coaches and taxis but will not apply to private cars.

A Defra spokesman said: "Tackling air quality is a priority for this government and our plans set out how we will achieve this through continued investment in clean technologies and by encouraging the uptake of low emission vehicles.

 

"Cities already have powers to introduce Clean Air Zones, and other air quality schemes, and our plans will require five cities to implement these zones...

 

"Later this year we will also consult on a clean air zone framework that will give local authorities the flexibility to make decisions about their own areas while ensuring a co-ordinated approach across the UK."