THE leader of Oxford City Council will meet with environment secretary Michael Gove today amid plans to make Oxford one of the world's first zero-emission zones (ZEZ).

Cllr Susan Brown will join other leaders of England's most car-polluted cities at the National Clean Air Summit in London to discuss way of tackling the problem. 

Despite levels of nitrogen dioxide have reduced by 37 per cent across the city in the last decade, parts of the city centre are still above the legal limit.

Oxford Mail:

The ZEZ is part of a strategy to reduce congestion and pollution in Oxford by rolling out segregated cycle routes, bus priority, electric charging points, and other measures. 

Council leaders will also focus on ways to tackle air quality in other congestion hotspots such as Abingdon, Henley and Wallingford.

Assuming technology and take up of zero emission electrical vehicles will continue to accelerate, council leaders say the first steps in creating a zero-emission zone in Oxford could be in place as early as 2020.

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council said: “I am proud of the lead that we have taken in Oxford on tackling poor air quality through our low emission zone and now our commitment to a zero emission zone is being recognised.

"I welcome the opportunity to discuss with other council leaders a common position on how the government can help us tackle this further.”

Creating the ZEZ would be a long-term project to enable road users and transport operators to plan for the necessary changes, including the use of zero emission vehicles.

Public consultation in 2017 showed strong support for the ZEZ but also emphasised the need for the two councils to support businesses, transport operators and the public in making the transition.

The ambition is to ensure that Oxfordshire becomes a leader in tackling transport challenges linked to air pollution.

The city and county councils have agreed in principle to progress the plans to the next stage, following discussions with transport operators and other stakeholders.

Detailed proposals are now being developed for further consultation with stakeholders, including residents and local businesses.

There are several air quality hotspots outside Oxford including Henley, Wallingford, Watlington, Abingdon, Botley and Marcham.

county council Cabinet Member with responsibility for roads and air quality, Yvonne Constance, said: “Oxford has been identified as a city with a major air quality problem and we are looking at a range of long-term measures to tackle congestion and reduce pollution, including a zero emission zone.

“We are delighted that the environment secretary is making this issue a national priority and believe Oxfordshire has an opportunity to become a national leader in tackling air pollution through bold transport initiatives.”

Options for tackling air quality in those areas are actively being developed by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils and the county council. 

In November 2017, South Oxfordshire District Council adopted a Low Emission Strategy.