Total ban on cars 'is the only way to beat air pollution crisis'

A total ban on cars is the only way to beat the air pollution crisis, a leading government adviser has said.

Environmental health expert Professor Frank Kelly said the key to purer air is “fewer cars, not just cleaner cars" as he claimed a shift to electric cars would not suffice.

Prof Kelly, who chairs a government advisory committee on the impact air pollution has on health, said particles emitted by brakes and tyres on electric cars would still be damaging.

His comments came after environment secretary Michael Gove last month announced the sale of new diesel and petrol cars would be banned from 2040.

Under new government plans, hundreds of millions of pounds will be ploughed into the development of ultra-low emission vehicles by the end of the decade.

But Professor Kelly wrote in The Guardian that the plan “does not nearly go far enough.”

He said ministers are not paying enough attention to particle pollution, which causes an estimated 29,000 early deaths a year in Britain.

Scientists have warned that prolonged exposure to particulate matter could contribute to developing conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

Levels of the pollutants in London air exceed the World Health Organisation’s guidelines.

Professor Kelly called for London to lead by example and phase out cars.

He wrote in The Guardian: “As London continues to grow in size and population, even zero-emission vehicles are not the complete answer to poor air quality.”

“We need to give people more and easier options to get about without necessarily owning a car and using it for short journeys.”