Bristol's mayor has signed a letter pledging to go further than the UK government in tackling air pollution - two weeks after announcing the city's Clean Air Zone was delayed once again.
The Clean Air Zone will mainly tackle nitrogen dioxide levels while this latest pledge covers another pollutant, PM2.5, which an expert said is largely caused by log burners and traffic. The letter signed by mayor Marvin Rees and more than 20 local and regional authorities across the UK pledges to bring the harmful pollutant to below 10 micrograms per cubic metre by 2030 - ten years ahead of the Government target.
Last year, the WHO reduced the guideline for annual average exposure to PM2.5 from 10 to 5 micrograms per cubic metre. Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “We have taken several steps to improve Bristol’s air quality. Recent major transport improvements have improved traffic flow, rerouted polluting vehicles from areas with low air quality, and given greater priority to public transport, walking and cycling.
