Cambridge signs the Oxford Charter for Cleaner Air

Cambridge City Council has become the latest council to sign up to the Oxford Charter for Cleaner Air, in order to urge the government to provide more backing to reduce dangerous air pollution.

Launched by Oxford City Council, Greenpeace UK and Friends of the Earth, the charter calls on the government to put the health of communities first, reduce illegal levels of pollution, and enable councils to do more to improve air quality and public health.

This includes proposals for the government to show national leadership in removing the most polluting vehicles from the most polluted parts of our towns and cities, provide greater investment in public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure and accelerate the zero emission revolution by investing in charging infrastructure and the supporting power network.

Cambridge has become the fifth UK city council to sign up to the charter after Oxford, Southampton, Nottingham and Brighton and Hove.

Rosy Moore, executive councillor for Environment and City Centre, said: “While we are doing all we can to meet air quality objectives in the city, including by delivering on a new citywide Air Quality Action Plan, our work currently relies on us submitting successful funding applications. We feel the government needs to do more to support the work of local councils in tackling one of the greatest health hazards facing this country.”