Diesel drivers could face fines for driving into town centres under strict new plans
DIESEL drivers could face being charged for driving into town or city centres under the air quality plans which will be published today.
Diesel drivers could be PAID to scrap their cars
New proposals under the air quality plan will include the introduction of ‘clean air zones’ in pollution hotspots of the UK.
These zones will mimic the Ultra-low emissions zone Mayor of London Sadiq Khan will introduce in the UK by 2019.
In this zone, drivers of the oldest and most polluting diesel cars will face a daily charge for entering these areas.
Additionally the London Mayor is introducing a daily toxin ’T-charge’ in October which will fine drivers of most polluting cars £10 a day to enter the congestion charge areas.
Diesel drivers could now face fines for entering a town or city centre
The new ‘clean air zones’ are likely to carry a daily charge and have restrictions to when certain cars can enter them.
Ministers have dropped proposals to give councils free rein over the establishment of the ‘clean air zones’ and how much motorist could be fined.
Instead they will receive a ministerial sign-off to gain permission to implement a clean air zones.
These sign-offs will only be accepted if all other options for tackling pollution have been exhausted.
We are going to make it difficult for them
It is likely that the new clean air zones will target the oldest and most polluting cars in the UK.
A Tory source said to the Daily Mail: “We are going to make it difficult for them.
"Labour and the green groups want us to mandate councils to set up these charging zones wherever they like, but we think they should only be allowed as a last resort – we are not in the business of penalising motorists.”
Another announcement expected to be made in the air quality plan is the introduction of a ‘targeted’ diesel scrappage scheme.
The oldest and most polluting diesel cars could face charges for travelling in pollution hotspots
The scrappage scheme could see drivers of the oldest and most polluting cars offered a £2,000 cash incentive to ditch their vehicle.
Diesel cars manufactured before 2005 are likely to be targeted for this scheme and the new toxin taxes.
The Government’s environment Department (Defra) lost a High Court appeal to delay publishing the draft air pollution plans until after the election.