Traffic-free days in Boris battle to cut pollution target

The Mayor says banning cars from the capital's streets may be necessary to meet EU limits
12 April 2012

Cars could be banned from central London on designated days amid fears that Britain might not hit clean air targets.

Boris Johnson says it might be necessary to explore the idea if the country fails to meet European Union limits, which would result in a £300million fine for the Government in the next 18 months. The Local Government Association said the fine would add £15 to the average annual council tax bill.

The Mayor has drawn up his own clean air strategy involving planting more trees, "retro-fitting" buildings and charging lorry drivers. But he admitted: "If we cannot get the emissions down by the means we outline then we may have to have traffic-free days. That is, I think, an exciting thing."

The Mayor's draft transport strategy states: "There is likely to be a role for more stringent special measures used intensively for short periods of time which primarily affect how many and which kinds of vehicle can travel to and through any location. These measures could include restricting vehicle access or movement into or within an area or diverting traffic away from that location." Areas earmarked include Marble Arch and Edgware Road, but the scheme could be extended to a wider area.

Darren Johnson, chairman of the London Assembly and Green Party member, welcomed the idea but criticised the Mayor for delaying action against white vans, scrapping mid-year inspections of black cabs and abolishing the western extension of the congestion charge.

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