City faces first legal threat on air quality

BRISTOL could be taken to court by the Government for an ‘astonishing’ failure to cut air pollution.

The legal threat was issued to the city’s council for failing to supply a plan on how it will reduce toxic fumes from vehicles.

Bristol and other cities with the worst pollution levels outside London were ordered to clean up their air and submit plans by September 2018. Possible measures include charging vehicles to enter city centre ‘clean air zones’.

But Bristol City Council has still not submitted its plans and could be taken to court.

In a letter to mayor Marvin Rees, environment minister Therese Coffey wrote: ‘I am absolutely astonished at your delay in improving air quality for the people of Bristol as quickly as possible.

‘I should like to make clear that any delay or non-compliance with these deadlines will result in my being forced to consider legal action against Bristol City Council which may include issuing proceedings without further notice.’

Nottingham, Derby, Leeds, Southampton and Birmingham were also ordered to submit plans.

Bristol City Council said: ‘We are fully committed to tackling air quality in Bristol.

‘We are carrying out technical modelling work to explore fully all possible options.’