How the Government could take a city council to court over its 'astonishing' failure to cut air pollution
- Bristol City Council could be taken to court over failure to cut air pollution
- The council failed to supply a plan on how it will reduce toxic fumes from cars
- Bristol and other cities with the worst pollution levels outside London were ordered to clean up their air and submit plans by September 2018
Bristol could be taken to court by the Government for an ‘astonishing’ failure to cut air pollution.
The legal threat was issued to the city’s council for failing to supply a plan on how it will reduce toxic fumes from vehicles.
Bristol and other cities with the worst pollution levels outside London were ordered to clean up their air and submit plans by September 2018.
Bristol could be taken to court by the Government for an ‘astonishing’ failure to cut air pollution. The legal threat was issued to the city’s council for failing to supply a plan on how it will reduce toxic fumes from vehicles [File photo]
Possible measures include charging vehicles to enter city centre ‘clean air zones’.
But Bristol City Council has still not submitted its plans and could be taken to court.
In a letter to mayor Marvin Rees, environment minister Therese Coffey wrote: ‘I am absolutely astonished at your delay in improving air quality for the people of Bristol as quickly as possible.
‘I should like to make clear that any delay or non-compliance with these deadlines will result in my being forced to consider legal action against Bristol City Council which may include issuing proceedings without further notice.’
Nottingham, Derby, Leeds, Southampton and Birmingham were also ordered to submit plans.
Bristol City Council said: ‘We are fully committed to tackling air quality in Bristol.
‘We are carrying out technical modelling work to explore fully all possible options.’
Bristol and other cities with the worst pollution levels outside London, above, were ordered to clean up their air and submit plans by September 2018. But Bristol City Council has still not submitted its plans and could be taken to court [File photo]
Most watched News videos
- Terrifying moment driver overtakes van and narrowly avoids crash
- Russian plane spiralling out of control crashes in sea in Crimea
- Queen Camilla greets children after traditional Maundy service
- Camilla hands out gifts at Royal Maundy ceremony on behalf of King
- Starmer and Rayner embrace as they launch election campaign
- Three men seen running out of Beckenham station after knife attack
- British man fighting for Putin posts video from Russia online
- 'Satan took over me': Hamas terrorist confesses of raping woman
- Tourist is filmed napping in his tent on the beach with a crocodile
- Hilarious moment King's Guard shout 'make way' at pigeons in London
- Police carry slingshots to defend themselves against crazed monkeys
- Police tape off Kennington station after 'multiple stabbings'