Green Party councillors in Stroud district say that government air pollution plans are "too little too late"

The £3 billion clean air strategy, announced last Wednesday (July 26), will ban new diesel and petrol cars in the UK from 2040.

Government ministers also unveiled a £255 million fund aimed at helping councils to tackle emissions and further quash air pollution.

However, Stroud district Green party environmental spokesman Cllr Simon Pickering (Stroud Slade) feels that the government continues to be behind the curve.

“The government are so far behind the curve it beggars belief,” he said.

“One has to ask what decade are they living in? Technology is moving so fast there won’t be diesel and Petrol cars on sale in 2040 when the proposed ban takes effect.

“But there is a serious problem of air pollution right now with tens of thousands of deaths each year caused by pollution from cars.

“The Green Party will be working with Stroud District Council to continue to improve air quality in the District.

“Air pollution is being monitored, but we should not be complacent and we will working with administration partners to invest in infrastructure and support cycling and walking to bring down levels of air pollution.

“We encourage a partnership with the county council to look at cheaper, cleaner and super-efficient public transport.”

Green Party members in Stroud district stated that they see this as a very small step forward and follows a court case in April in which the government were found to have failed to address illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution.

Green Party county councillor Eva Ward (Stroud Central) said: “We also need action that tackles this health emergency in the coming months and years.

“Such action must include expanded clean air zones and a fully funded diesel scrappage scheme.

“It’s crucial that scrapping diesel doesn’t simply shift people into other types of car – instead we should use this opportunity to revamp out towns and cities with investment in walking and cycling, and by ensuring that public transport is affordable, available and reliable.” Fellow Green Party county councillor Rachel Smith (Minchinhampton) feels that more action is needed now, not put on hold till 2040.

“We need to be investing in cycling, walking and super-efficient public transport, not making a head line grabbing claim for 23 years’ time”, she said.

Also introduced with the announcement is further direct financial support for local authorities from the government, with £40m of the fund being made available immediately.

They can use the funds for a range of measures, such as changing road layouts, implementing new technologies or encouraging residents on to public transport.

"Improving air quality is a key priority as we support businesses in building a stronger and cleaner economy," said Andrea Leadsom, the secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.

"Our plan today sets out how we will do just that - including presenting options for targeted diesel scrappage schemes."

Conservative Stroud district councillor Debbie Young shares concern with the issue of air quality, but is concerned about where the money will come from to integrate electric vehicles within the next 23 years.

“I appreciate how important air quality, is as does everyone else, however I have to ask where does the power come from to power electric vehicles? Usually from burning fossil fuels,” she said.

“Can the generation of electricity meet the needs of creating a clean fuel? People need and want transport, how much would this change, albeit far in the future, cost each person?”