Meeting UK legal pollution limits will necessitate the nationwide rollout of a diesel scrappage scheme and low emission zones.
So says Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who has written to the Prime Minister as the government prepares to publish its draft Air Quality Plan in advance of the High Court deadline of 24 April.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, the Mayor reinforced his calls for national diesel scrappage fund to help drivers who bought diesel cars in good faith. Mr Khan has previously written to the Chancellor proposing a targeted, fully-costed, city-led, time-limited approach.
Mr Khan also called for the introduction of ULEZ-style schemes where needed in other towns and cities across the UK. This follows the Mayor’s launch of a consultation on introducing the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in central London in April 2019.
The Mayor of London also said the Government should ensure Vehicle excise duty (VED) and other fiscal incentives continue to encourage the purchase of diesel cars, and introduce a 21st Century Clean Air Act to provide a legally enforceable right to clean air for all citizens.
Mr Khan said: “The Prime Minister has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the quality of the air in the capital and across the country. I am doing all I can in London – but the only way we can make our lethal air safe is if the Government commits to the major measures experts agree are necessary to tackle this incredibly serious issue.”
