Parts of Coventry could become 'no car zones'

[dutchman]

The council is looking at a city-wide scheme to pedestrianise areas

Parts of Coventry could become ‘no car zones’ in a bid to reduce pollution.

The city is one of only 28 towns and cities in England where nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels are forecast to exceed legal limits in 2021.

It is putting the council under severe pressure from the government to take action and it is legally required to do so within “the shortest possible time”.

Proposals have already been made in the authority’s ‘Air Quality Action Plan’, drafted in December, ahead of full submissions in March.

Ideas include fitting all new homes with electric vehicle charging points, introducing walking and cycling routes, and targeting ‘cleaner’ buses.

But, during a meeting on Monday, cabinet member for city services revealed the authority is also looking at pedestrianising certain parts of Coventry.

Cllr Hetherton revealed Earlsdon High Street could be included in a larger city-wide scheme currently being considered.

She added: “That is something that is coming onto the agenda for the cabinet member for health and for regeneration.

“That is being looked at in the whole of the city and that is being looked at as we speak.”

Coventry’s Air Quality Action Plan to tackle high pollution levels must be signed off by March this year.

If the plan is not given approval by the government, a Clean Air Zone could be imposed.

But the council has always stated this is not an option and previous cabinet member for city services Cllr Jayne Innes said in November she was confident this will not happen.

[rebbonk]

Typical council! they are missing the point, and treating the symptom rather than the cause!