EU court ruling on air pollution

14 November 2014

 

On Wednesday 19^th November, the Court of Justice of EU is due to rule on what remedial action it will take to compel the UK Government to meet nitrogen dioxide limits (1). This could include a £300 million fine (2). This follows the UK’s Supreme Court judgement last year confirming that the Government is in breach of the EU Air Quality Directive. London is not expected to meet nitrogen dioxide limits until after 2030, 20 years after the original deadline for compliance.

 

Jenny Jones AM has called for the Mayor to implement:

 

Emergency measures in the run up and during dangerous pollution episodes:

 

• A smog forecast and alert system that informs the general public and particularly vulnerable people such as asthmatics, with more detailed messaging and resources at schools, hospital and emergency services. This could encourage behaviour change to reduce pollution (such as not driving) and to reduce harm (such as not doing vigorous exercise near main roads).

 

• Traffic restrictions on certain roads so only essential vehicles can travel along them.

 

Permanent fixes:

 

• Bring forward the Mayor’s Ultra Low Emission Zone by 2018 (Mayor’s plan is 2020) and extend the ULEZ to surrounding boroughs that want it.

 

• Clean up the bus fleet by only introducing new buses that are hybrid or electric and that meet or exceed the Euro VI air quality standard.

 

• Reverse the recent and expected future increases in traffic levels by investing more in the bus and cycling networks and cancelling road building projects

 

Jenny is available for interview.

 

Editors Notes

 

(1) http://www.airqualitynews.com/2014/10/31/judgment-day-set-for-uk-air-pollution-case/

 

(2) Special Report: Environment – Air pressure  http://www.thelawyer.com/analysis/market-analysis/practice-areas/litigation-analysis/special-report-environment-air-pressure/3024595.article