The Road Haulage Association (RHA) says that the UK government needs to rethink its approach on improving air quality.

The call comes as Leeds and Birmingham City Councils announce that their respective Clean Air Zones set to launch in January 2020 have been ‘significantly postponed’. In a joint statement the local authorities blame government delays in delivering key digital infrastructure for the postponements. No new dates have been announced.

RHA Chief Executive, Richard Burnett, says the government is failing to deliver on its own policies and needs to encourage local authorities to look at congestion-easing measures if they’re serious about reducing emissions. “Their delays in getting the technology ready postpones the arrival of enforceable zones in two key cities, but for operators facing the prospect of £50 per day charges it’s a delay, not a reprieve,” he said. “It’s time for a rethink on improving air quality. Clean Air Zones will prove ineffective if they keep disproportionately targeting HGVs whilst ignoring other factors and vehicle types.”

Photo:  Richard Burnett