LGA responds to clean air zones consultation
18 Oct 2016 10:44 AM
LGA Environment spokesman Cllr Martin Tett responds to clean air zones consultation
"Giving electric cars priority could be helpful but such decisions are best made by councils locally depending on local circumstances.
"Clean air zones may have a role in some places but on their own they are not the answer to tackling air pollution. Councils need a range of powers and devolved funding to allow them to further tackle poor air quality. This includes the ability to combat congestion hot spots - through enforcing moving traffic violations outside London*, including illegal U-turns and box junction offences - and to promote alternative travel, such as cycling, walking and public transport.
"We are also calling on the Government to fully fund the concessionary fares scheme, handing control over the Bus Service Operators' Grant, a fuel duty rebate paid directly to bus operators by the Government. It is also important that the Government takes action at a national level to incentivise a move away from polluting diesel vehicles to non-diesel transport."
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