Road-charging could improve air quality
- DEFRA report calls for road-charging
- Charging could extend life expectancy
- Call for tighter Euro emission standards, too
A nationwide system of road charging is the key to meeting air quality targets and extending life expectancy in the UK, according to a new Government report.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) says a UK-wide system of charging could have a significant impact on air quality up to 2020.
Currently pollutants shorten life expectancy by an average of eight months. It estimates that if all current targets were met by 2020, life expectancy would be improved by three months on average.
Until now, nationwide charging has only been discussed by the Department for Transport as a measure to control road use and control congestion.
The DEFRA report says that motorists also need more incentives to buy greener cars, but has also called for tighter Euro emission standards to force manufacturers to develop cleaner products.
While many air-quality targets are being met, the DEFRA review says objectives for cutting nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, both produced by diesel engines, are not being achieved.
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