I am well aware that Bath has a problem with pollution in the city centre and this is an issue that I plan to tackle head on whilst an MP. Already, I have hosted a Westminster Hall debate in air quality and have brought Elizabeth Truss, the Environment Secretary, to Bath to highlight the issue.
Some progress has already been made; the Government has committed over £2 billion to help bus operators upgrade their fleets, reduce pollution from a range of vehicles such as refuse trucks and fire engines through cutting edge technologies, and promote the development of clean alternative fuels such as powering taxis with liquid petroleum gas in Birmingham.
Recently, the Government has issued a UK plan for improving air quality. Under it, by 2020 the most polluting diesel vehicles will be discouraged from entering new Clean Air Zones to be introduced in the centres of Birmingham, Leeds, Southampton, Nottingham and Derby. This will affect old polluting buses, coaches, taxis and lorries, but not newer vehicles that meet the latest emission standards, or private cars.
As part of my 6 Point Plan, I am campaigning to stop Bath stalling. Action is being taken to reduce the amount of traffic in the city centre through the petition for an A36/46 link road. As well as, supporting the development of a park and ride to the East of Bath. These measures, I hope, will improve the air quality in the worst affected areas and bring a cleaner, less congested travel network to Bath.