Half of public want more clean air zones

MORE than half of people back introducing charges for polluting vehicles driving in “clean air zones” to improve air quality in towns and cities, a new survey says.

Seven out of 10 are also in favour of the UK car industry contributing funding towards action to clean up illegal levels of pollution, the survey by Yougov for Clientearth, the environmental law charity, found.

The support for action comes as Clientearth prepares to return to court against the Government on Jan 25 to try to force it to take more urgent steps to clean up the UK’S illegally dirty air.

The poll of 1,692 adults found 52 per cent supported more clean air zones which charge motorists for entry into areas of towns and cities if their vehicle does not meet minimum pollution standards, with less than a fifth (18 per cent) opposing them. Some 53 per cent backed diesel scrappage schemes, while only 10 per cent were against the move.

And 71 per cent supported the idea the car industry should contribute funding to help clean the air in the UK, with just one in 10 opposing it.

Air pollution causes an estimated 40,000 premature deaths a year in the UK and is linked to health problems from childhood illnesses to heart disease and even dementia.

Ministers unveiled court-mandated plans for meeting European Union limits on nitrogen dioxide, much of which comes from road transport and particularly diesel vehicles, in July after a long-running legal battle with Clientearth. The plans included £255million to help local authorities come up with ways to improve air quality, ranging from improving public transport and changing road layouts to charging zones for polluting vehicles. They also include looking at a “targeted scrappage scheme” focused on drivers who need most support. But much of the focus was on plans to end the sale of conventional petrol and diesel cars by 2040.

Clientearth launched a new legal fight with the Government in October over what it said was a “stubborn failure” to tackle illegal air pollution since the rules were introduced in 2010.

Simon Alcock, Clientearth spokesman, said: “People are more aware than ever of the harm air pollution is causing to them and their children and they want to see action.”

A Defra spokesman said: “Air pollution has improved significantly since 2010, but we recognise there is more to do which is why we have put in place a £3.5 billion plan to improve air quality and reduce harmful emissions.”

‘People are more aware than ever of the harm air pollution is causing to them and their children and they want to see action’