Mayor Joe Anderson has asked for a report to be drawn up to detailing a series of measures to tackle air pollution – including a low emissions zone targeted at diesel and large vehicles.
Across the Core Cities it is estimated that almost 15,000 early deaths per year can be attributed to poor air quality. A total of 70% of harmful emissions of Nitrogen Dioxide, NO2, and particulates, PM10, can be related to transport emissions, particularly in areas such as the city centre where there are a high number of diesel buses and taxis.
In 2014/15 there were 292 hospital admissions for asthma among under 19s. The rate of admission in Liverpool was 3rd highest among the core cities after Manchester and Birmingham and significantly above the national rate.
Mayor Anderson said: “To reverse this situation, Liverpool City Council will work with our expert partners locally and across the country both to look at the impacts of introducing of a Clean Air zone, which by 2022 will introduce restrictions on diesel vehicles on our roads, and to lobby for national government reforms such as the reintroduction of the scrappage scheme.
“By 2025 I want the city to have developed a central heart where walking, cycling, electric vehicles and clean fuels will dominate, and from which polluting diesel traffic will be discouraged.
“It will also be important to introduce these changes in order to stop older, dirtier vehicles that have been banned in other cities from being relocated to Liverpool.”
Example Areas of investigation
• Introducing a low emissions zone targeted at diesel and large vehicles. This could restrict their movements at certain times of day or ban them outright.
• Consultation on changing taxi licencing to a scheme similar to London’s
• Instruct Merseytravel to work with the City Mayor on a strategy that helps bus companies that operate within the city to move to low emission standards
• Changes to parking facilities to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points, while increasing charges for diesel vehicles.
• A commitment to change Liverpool City Council’s fleet of vehicles to electric or low emission ones.
• A ship to shore power offer, supporting the Cruise Liner industry
• How our existing Green infrastructure plays a part, for example the new parks and the One Tree Per Child scheme.
Liverpool City Council will bring a report to Cabinet in early June that will highlight our plans for introducing these measures.