Oxford to be a zero-emission city

OXFORD is to become the first place in the UK to ban all petrol and diesel vehicles from the city centre.

All petrol and diesel taxis, cars and buses will be excluded from six central streets from 2020. More will follow in 2025 and again in 2030 to encompass the entire city centre. In 2035, petrol and diesel HGVS will be banned, making what could be the world’s first populated zero emissions zone.

A six-week public consultation starts on Monday. Experts say the scheme could cut levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) to near-background levels, with as much as a 74 per cent reduction in one street. John Tanner, Oxford city council’s environment chief, said the move is “urgently needed”.

The scheme will cost bus operators, taxi firms, haulage companies and councils an estimated £14million. Even council bin lorries and gritting vehicles will need to change.

The local authority will spend £7 million on administration and a new CCTV system with automatic number plate recognition to enforce the ban.