A blanket ban on all diesel vehicles in Clean Air Zones would have a devastating impact on local communities, leading to a rise in unemployment and social deprivation, warns former Government transport advisor Prof David Begg.
In a report he says that banning all diesel buses could lead to a loss of 80% of bus services, and points out that Euro 6 buses deliver a 95% reduction in harmful emissions
Local authorities with roads breaching legal pollution levels have until March 2018 to publish their draft plans to tackle air pollution in their areas – and diesel vehicles are widely expected to be targeted with new restrictions or fines.
Oxford and Cambridge are among the local authorities that have already announced their intention to ban all diesel vehicles, including buses.
Prof Begg is calling on local authorities to halt blanket bans and instead target older diesel cars, which are the biggest contributors to air pollution, making up 41% of NOx emissions, compared with 30% for diesel vans and 6% for buses and coaches.
Report here
