City roads should be ‘ripped out completely’ to help tackle pollution, says government adviser
A government adviser has called for roads in cities to be “ripped out completely” to combat air pollution. Dr Gary Fuller, a member of Defra’s air quality expert group, said that cities should instead be turned into “green spaces” where residents and children could relax and play free from pollution, reports the Daily Telegraph. The Imperial College academic has […]
Court rejects legal challenge to Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone
A legal challenge to stop the operation of Glasgow’s Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) has failed. The case, brought by a car repair firm operating within the zone, said the restrictions on high-polluting vehicles would be detrimental for business. Following a two-day hearing in Edinburgh, the Court of Session rejected criticisms levelled at the scheme, saying […]
Hundreds more EV charging points to be rolled out across Hillingdon
APCOA has been selected by Hillingdon Council to deliver a high quality, accessible and convenient electric vehicle charging network across the borough by 2030. As part of increasing, improving and managing EV infrastructure, the programme will include the introduction of new public charging points at off-street council property to help meet demand as more drivers […]
Norwich’s first electric buses have hit the streets
Norwich’s first zero-emissions electric buses have hit the city’s streets today. Seven brand new electric double deckers, owned and operated by First Bus, are now serving passengers on the Pink, Red, Orange and Blue lines. These vehicles are the first of a fleet of seventy that are being rolled out over the coming months, to […]
Driving forward changes to reduce emissions in Argyll and Bute
Argyll and Bute continues to lead the way in its approach to tackling the climate emergency, according to the council. At a meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee, the council’s Climate Change Board provided an update on some of the recent activity aimed at ensuring Argyll and Bute meets its Net Zero targets. A […]
‘Division not the answer’ as Tower Hamlets Mayor makes decision to remove most LTN traffic restrictions
Most of the Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) road closures will be removed as Tower Hamlets Council promises to find ‘less divisive’ ways to achieve cleaner air. The council will invest £6m in measures to improve air quality, including building more infrastructure to enhance public spaces and encourage walking and cycling, including planting more trees. It will […]
Expanded ULEZ “adds 13 minutes to life expectancy”
Independent research by Channel 4 suggests that the expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone to the outer boroughs will not make any significant difference to two key types of air pollution. Using the Mayor’s own data, the channel’s Factcheck Team calculates that the expanded ULEZ would add just 13 minutes to the life expectancy […]
Glasgow’s ULEZ effectiveness questioned as pollution levels rise
New figures suggest pollution levels of gases linked to traffic rose by about 10% in the centre of Glasgow after the introduction of a ULEZ scheme a year ago. The Telegraph reports Nitrogen dioxide levels in the city’s Hope Street, which has repeatedly had the country’s worst air quality, were measured at an average of […]
£6 million to improve air quality in local communities
Local authorities across England can now apply for a share of £6 million of government funding to deliver projects to improve air quality. The annual Air Quality Grant helps councils develop and implement measures to benefit schools, businesses and communities and reduce the impact of air pollution on people’s health. Since 2010, more than £53 […]
Sutton Council responds to Mayor of London’s latest ULEZ announcement as Merton Council announces scrappage scheme
The ‘last minute’ changes to ULEZ plans are unhelpful, according to the Leader of Sutton Council, who has been responding to the Mayor of London’s latest announcement about the scheme. Commenting on the Mayor of London’s decision to increase the funding available for the ULEZ scrappage scheme, Councillor Ruth Dombey, Leader of Sutton Council, said:“We […]
