Many local authorities are looking to retain the benefits of cleaner air caused by a reduction in traffic during the coronavirus lockdown.
Oxford is going further by setting its own localised air quality target. Leeds and Bristol are reviewing their plans to introduce charging Clean Air Zones (CAZs) but looking at other ways to keep pollution levels below legal limits. It is expected that Manchester will begin consultation on the introduction of a CAZ in October.
Oxford City Council is set to become the first UK local authority to set out a city-wide air pollution reduction target within its own draft Air Quality Action Plan.
The new Air Quality Action Plan 2021-2025 outlines the actions that the Council will take to improve air quality in Oxford City, building on its previous Air Quality Action Plan. Public consultation on the document will begin later this month.
The Scottish Government has restarted work on introducing Low Emission Zones (LEZs), which are planned for implementation between February and May 2022.
The LEZ schemes in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen, which build on the existing bus-only scheme in Glasgow, were due to go live in 2020 but were put on hold due to the pandemic and its impact on the general public and businesses.
More information on the Transport Scotland website.
