Councils need more powers to tackle poor air quality if the UK is avoid hefty EU fines says LGA

The UK could be hit by huge fines from the EU if councils are not given greater powers to tackle air pollution, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.

At a conference on air quality held by Local Authority Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS), Defra and the Department for Transport, delegates were told that the UK could face up to £300 million in fines from the European Union in less than 18 months if action was not taken.

Stringent anti-pollution legislation was passed in Brussels in 1996 which most European governments failed to meet by 2005. Although the UK government has applied for an extension until 2011, if it does not meet those targets then the government, and therefore taxpayers, will face a bill of up to £300million.

The LGA has said the call includes greater powers to influence polluters in their areas, such as bus operators and the Highways Agency.

“Increasing resources and support now for public transport improvements, the development of Low Emission Zones and publicity campaigns are essential if we are to save lives and avoid these huge fines,” the LGA said.

According to LACORS, Oxford City Council has already taken steps to improve the buses in their area which can often contribute up to 80 per cent of air pollution in city centres by launching the quality bus partnership between operators and the council. Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed outlined Sheffield’s work to engage the local community in air quality issues, which were also held up as an example by Defra Minister Jim Fitzpatrick MP.

Local government representatives at the conference expressed frustration over the lack of control they have over sources of pollution in their areas.  Councillor Roland Dibbs of Rushmoor Council for instance, highlighted that there is still gap between central and local government, with councils having no ability to influence the air quality in relation to major transport routes, as this falls to the Highways Agency outside of London.

Chairman of LACORS Cllr Paul Bettison said the looming fines facing the country mean that we, as a nation, need to strive to improve air quality before public money is “sucked into the EU” and gets diverted from front line services.

“It is time for the government to take a bold and radical approach to cutting pollution by giving councils greater influence over polluters in their areas and investing now to save taxpayers from footing these huge bills in the future,” he said.
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