Petrolheads to be driven out of town
IS the era of driving into town for a spot of shopping coming to an end?
York, Brighton, Bristol, Oxford, Birmingham…all plan to turn rush hour into shush hour with a ban on both petrol and diesel cars.
There are a few good reasons. Almost all UK towns and cities have illegal levels of pollution, and almost all of it is from exhausts.
These fumes cause premature deaths and increase the chances of dementia and birth defects.
On top of that, there is climate change to think about. Road transport is a major source of carbon dioxide.
So if banning cars powered by fossil fuels cuts down emissions, that’s a strong entry in the “for” column. There is concern the bans will signal the death of the high street – but the evidence has suggested that pedestrianisation boosts spending at the shops.
But we won’t be paid to scrap our cars, and huge investment will be needed in public transport – so it’ll be us good citizens who pay.
We’ll either have to shell out for an electric car or use buses and trains. Whatever our misgivings, it looks like patience with the motor car is, well, exhausted.
Only electric vehicles in the city centre
Diesels to be banned from city Plan to ban private cars from city centre Council probing feasibility of a car-free Plan to stop private vehicles driving through centre.
IF you provide a service or make deliveries, an e-cargo bike is a good way to help the planet and dodge driving charges. There are grants for up to 20% of the cost. Go to energysavingtrust.org.uk.
ESTIMATED premature deaths each year due to breathing in pollution from road vehicles.