The Government have launched a consultation to consider what action can be taken by local authorities to improve air quality. This move comes in response to a Supreme Court ruling in April this year that ordered that plans needed to be made to tackle the UK's air pollution problem which has breached the limits set by the EU for years. Since 2010 London along with other major cities have failed to comply with EU standards set for nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
The consultation plan drawn up by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), asks local authorities to consider the creation of Clean Air Zones by the introduction of low emission taxis and buses along with using data to inform choices over new road layouts. Other options the plan asks local authorities to consider include:
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss stated, ''tackling air pollution is a priority for this Government, and we want local authorities and members of the public to come forward and share ideas on action to be taken at local level to make our nation cleaner.''
However the plan has attracted its critics who believe the Government has shown a lack of commitment by handing over responsibility for its failure to meet EU targets to local authorities. The plan has made no provisions for extra money or new devolved powers to the local authorities. Whilst plans for establishing clean air zones are welcomed by environmental groups the plans are said to lack detail as to how these would work in practice.
All responses to the consultation must be sent to DEFRA by 6 November 2015.
