Heathrow Airport workers could be handed £2,000 to ditch diesel cars

Heathrow workers may be offered around £2,000 to replace their diesel cars
PA

Workers at Heathrow may be offered around £2,000 to replace their diesel cars with less polluting models.

The diesel scrappage scheme is being considered by airport bosses as part of moves to tackle toxic air.

Staff at the west London airport are estimated to drive around 27,000 diesel vehicles.

They would be encouraged to switch to less polluting petrol, electric or hybrid models.

Detailed proposals are still being worked up, with talks due to take place with airlines, retailers, cargo operators and other airport employers.

But a past Government scrappage scheme to get older, more polluting vehicles off the road saw motorists being offered £2,000.

Half of this came from the motor industry which benefited from more orders.

The airport’s move comes after a Government-commissioned report suggested a third runway might not be able to start operating in 2025 within EU air quality levels.

Heathrow insists it can grow while meeting air quality rules, which are being widely breached in London now, and its claim is likely to be challenged in court by town halls against a third runway.

Ministers are under growing pressure to step up action to deal with air pollution, including possibly with a scrappage scheme for diesel vehicles blamed for a significant proportion of particulate and nitrogen dioxide fumes.

They have previously rejected the idea, on the basis that toxic air is largely an urban problem, rather than nationwide.

However, Whitehall officials are reported to now be re-examining the idea, including whether it could be introduced on a geographical basis.

Heathrow also called for the M4 out to the M25 to be included in the Low Emission Zone to clamp down on polluting lorries and vans, arguing that such a move could remove more than one million diesel vehicles which travel along this stretch each year.

A Heathrow spokesman said: “We need to play our part to reduce emissions and improve air quality for our local communities. That is why we are exploring innovative solutions like a diesel scrappage scheme and calling for the extension of the Low Emission Zone, to target the real source of emissions – road vehicles.”

Meanwhile, the European Commission is expected to take the next step within days in legal action against Britain for failing to cut NO2 levels which are above EU limits.

A Government spokesman said: “We are firmly committed to improving the UK’s air quality and cutting harmful emissions.”

However, it has twice been ordered by the courts to improve its plan to reduce NO2 levels.

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