Transport & Highways

In the battle for headlines and public opinion, we can’t lose sight of the very real need to change the way we travel – not just the fuels we use – argues Nicholas Sanderson

It’s no secret that getting to grips with urban air pollution is confusing, and given recent headlines about the causes and effects of air pollution, you may be forgiven for being even more confused.

Like several other local authorities, Oxford City Council has been grappling with the issue of air pollution and earlier this month announced plans to introduce a zero-emission zone. The proposals would see diesel and petrol vehicles banned from Oxford city centre in phases, starting with some vehicle types and a small number of streets in 2020 moving to all vehicle types across the whole city centre in 2035.
Environment Journal spoke to Chris Dyer, head of consultancy at infrastructure asset management specialists Yotta, about the plans and discuss what infrastructure changes must be made to ensure these emission-free plans are successful.

Firstly, how bold and ambitious are Oxford’s plan for zero emission city?

They are extraordinarily ambitious. In many ways you could argue it’s been a long time coming, but at the same time, you have to ask yourself how is it achievable with the technology available today. As long as it stays in the way they are describing, implemented over a period of time and they continuously review how it is going, I think it is achievable.