Councils in England say they lack funds to bring in clean air strategy

Measures such as traffic calming are often controversial and difficult for local governments to implement. Photograph: Transport Picture Library/Paul Ridsdale/Alamy

Local authorities in England have not been given the funding or powers to fulfil the government’s strategy on air pollution, and air quality in English towns and cities is likely to suffer as a result, local governments and charities have said.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published its latest plan late on 28 April, just before the UK bank holiday weekend. It followed a consultation earlier that month that was only days long, which local authorities said was not enough time for them to contribute properly.