The Air Quality (Diesel Emissions in Urban Centres) Bill has been put forward by Geraint Davies, the Labour/Co-operative MP for Swansea West, who says “the invisible hand of diesel fumes is prematurely killing some 1,000 people per week in the UK”. He adds that the Bill is “designed to put the death-by-diesel epidemic into reverse, saving thousands of lives and billions of pounds”.

The Bill would require vehicle emissions targets and testing to reflect on-road driving conditions and would provide powers for local authorities to establish low diesel emissions zones and pedestrian-only areas. It would also restrict the use of roads in urban centres by diesel vehicles and would promote electric tram systems and LPG-powered buses and taxis in urban centres.

In response, RAC public affairs manager Nicholas Lyes said: “The RAC recognises that improving local air quality is an extremely important issue, however we have some serious concerns about some aspects of this Private Member’s Bill. Banning certain diesels from town centres would be hugely disruptive for a vast swathe of motorists and businesses, and closing local roads at short notice will only shift the problem of pollution and traffic elsewhere.”

“The RAC is not opposed to low-emission zones, however the focus should be to provide incentives to motorists of more polluting diesel vehicles to swap these for cleaner ones, alongside a concerted effort for real world emissions testing to be implemented at the soonest possible date. It is also important to recognise that other forms of transport, including buses, taxis and goods vehicles, have a major part to play in reducing emissions.”