OXFORD has been awarded £640,000 of funding to retrofit 37 buses, as part of a government scheme to improve air quality.

It's a smaller portion of the £25 million Clean Bus Technology Fund than some local authorities have received.

But the fund, launched in 2017, could help upgrade the city's bus fleet and reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions.

The first stage of Oxford's Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) is due to come into force next year.

READ AGAIN: ZEZ plans relaxed as 2020 driving ban dropped

Oxford City Councillor Tom Hayes, Board Member for A Safer and Greener Environment, explained: “We said that our ZEZ has to be practical in order to be effective, and that means Oxford's bus fleet becoming one of the cleanest in the country. I'm thrilled that Oxford's bid for money has been successful and we will be one of a handful of councils to share the Clean Bus Technology Fund, receiving £671,550 to retrofit 37 buses.

"It's excellent news that today's funding boost takes the City Council's total grants for cleaner buses to £2.3m. We know that cleaner buses means less polluted air - latest figures show a drop in harmful nitrogen dioxide levels by an average of 22.7 per cent because of Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach Oxford introducing ultra-low emission buses."

Labelling herself 'delighted' by the scheme, Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said: “We all know that air pollution is the top environmental risk to health in the UK. Nitrogen dioxide emissions must be lowered if we want to ensure cleaner and healthier air across the country.

“Local authorities are the best placed to introduce systems that work for their areas, which is why we are working closely with them to ensure they have the appropriate funding and support.”

READ AGAIN: ZEZ plan could hit bus company for millions

This extra cash injection follows last year’s £40 million grant to 20 local authorities, which allowed councils to work with bus companies and technology providers to bring buses up to low emission standards.

Existing fund recipients were invited to apply for funding to extend their projects earlier this year, with all applicant bids successfully confirmed.

ZEZ: Your questions answered

Transport Minister Jesse Norman added: “This £25m investment will help the (bus) sector work towards the continued acceleration of low emission buses and a 100 per cent low emission bus fleet in England and Wales.”