30 November 2009
Source: LocalGov.co.uk ()

More powers needed to tackle pollution


Arun Marsh

The Local Government Association has called on ministers to give councils increased powers to crack down on polluters.

"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..."

Cllr Paul Bettison, LACORS chair 
The LGA says that unless the powers are granted, pollution could cause up to 36,000 premature deaths and result in severe EU fines.

The Government has applied for an extension to meet EU air pollution targets until 2011, but if these are not met then the UK will face a bill from Brussels of up to £300m, says the LGA.
At a conference today, the group called for new measures for local authorities to help cut emissions including greater powers to influence polluters in their areas, such as bus operators and the Highways Agency, increasing resources and support for public transport improvements and the development of Low Emission Zones.

Cllr Paul Bettison, Chairman of LACORS (Local Authority Coordinators of Regulatory Services), said:

'For the benefit of the taxpayer in the long term and to protect people’s health the government needs to help councils cut pollution. 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.

'Councils know the problem areas in their patch and if given the right powers and funding then they will be able to help cut emissions while ensuring that local people and businesses are not hit in the pocket by new measures.

'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.'



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