10/08/2017

The urgent actions that local authorities must take to tackle any roadside pollution hotspots that exceed legal limits and the funding that will enable them to put their plans into operation are set out in ‘Air quality plan for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in UK (2017)’.

The Plan is in response to the May consultation, ‘Improving air quality: reducing nitrogen dioxide in our towns and cities’, on the original proposals to base the plan 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”. (ref – ‘Roadside Lorry Emissions Tests to Commence in August (E, S, W)’, CPA News, 27 June 2017).

Local knowledge will be crucial in solving problems in these pollution hotspots quickly and local authorities are required to produce initial plans within 8 months and final plans by the end of 2018.

Government financial support to help councils develop their plans will be delivered via

  • a £255 million implementation fund for all immediate work
  • a Clean Air Fund to help councils introduce new measures such as changing road layouts to cut congestion and reduce idling vehicles, new park and ride services, introducing concessionary travel schemes and improving bus fleets. More details will be announced later this year
  • a £40 million Clean Bus Technology Fund grant scheme

Coinciding with the official launch of the plan, government also announced that

  • van drivers will be allowed to use heavier vehicles if they are electric or gas-powered
  • manufacturers found to be using devices on their vehicles to cheat emissions tests could face criminal and civil charges, with fines of up to £50,000 for every device installed, under proposed new laws (ref – see above weblink, 27 June)
  • the sale of all new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans will end in the UK by 2040

The government will also consult in the autumn on measures to support motorists, residents and businesses affected by local plans – such as retrofitting, subsidised car club memberships, exemptions from any vehicles restrictions, or a targeted scrappage scheme for car and van drivers. In order to merit consideration, measures will need to target those most in need of support, provide strong value for the taxpayer and be resistant to fraud.