12/05/2017
Where nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels are persistently above the legal limit along specific roads, local authorities across the UK will be required to bring them into compliance with air quality standards ‘within the shortest possible time’, under government proposals to tackle the pressing problem of air pollution from diesel road vehicles in urban areas.
The proposals build on the concept of ‘Clean Air Zones’ (CAZ), in which resources are prioritised and co-ordinated to deliver improved health benefits and economic growth within a low emission environment.
‘Air quality: clean air zone framework for England’ links to documents setting out
- the principles underpinning the CAZ framework
- responses to draft regulations setting up pilot CAZ in 5 English urban areas and the costs and benefits that resulted from them
In addition to the consultation seeking views on the use of CAZ to tackle NO2 pollution of urban roads, ‘Improving air quality: reducing nitrogen dioxide in our towns and cities’ links to a draft plan setting out wide-ranging current and planned actions in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland that include
- a project to tackle air pollution on the English roads network
- 4 sets of regulatory changes
- further funding to support the uptake of electric taxis
- additional support for low emission buses and taxis
- review of the appropriate tax treatment for diesel vehicles
- call for evidence on the use of red diesel
- review of information available for consumers on environmental performance of cars, including at the point of sale
- updating of government procurement policy
- mandatory new emissions standards for new cars
- new emissions standards for non-road mobile machinery