Councils tasked with devising anti-diesel pollution plans
I was listening to the controversy around the story below and musing on whether some of these campaigners think about the balance needed to take account of the impact of their campaigns on rural dwellers – not that I think reducing pollution shouldn’t be a priority. I was also reflecting that yet again local authorities are getting caught in the middle….
Local authorities have been given eight months to produce initial plans to tackle nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution produced by diesel-fuelled vehicles.
The government has backed this with £255m to help implement these plans, and a Clean Air Fund – of as yet unspecified size – to which councils can bid for support.
Environment secretary Michael Gove’s move came after a lengthy legal dispute in which the High Court twice rejected government plans to counter NO2 as so inadequate as to be unlawful, and ordered ministers to produce something better.
Earlier versions of the government plan were largely concerned with new duties for local authorities, but without any extra funds.
Local Government Association environment spokesman Martin Tett said: “Councils want to switch their focus from simply monitoring air quality to improving air quality. It is right that the government’s plan recognises the vital role councils have to play in achieving this and we are also pleased it recognises our call for extra funding for local authorities to tackle air quality.
“Councils now need to see more details to make sure these plans are as effective as possible.”
NO2 mainly arises from diesel vehicles and the government said it intended to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2040.
Gove said air quality had improved significantly in recent decades, with NO2 levels down by 50% in 15 years.