Autogas has welcomed plans announced by the Government for the introduction of five Clean Air Zones in Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton.

The zones are designed to help improve air quality and bring the UK into line with EU nitrogen oxide targets, and the proposals will not affect private car owners, but instead will target the most polluting vehicles such as older buses, taxis, coaches and lorries.

As part of the announcement, the Government referenced the work that is already ongoing in Birmingham through the development of a taxi fleet that will run on LPG.

“We’re extremely encouraged by these latest plans to help clean up air quality in the UK’s most affected towns and cities,” commented Autogas general manager Linda Gomersall.

“We have already made significant progress with Birmingham in helping the city replace its taxi fleet with a cleaner LPG solution. The creation of the Clean Air Zones and the ongoing focus of vehicles such as taxi cabs means that we are confident that many other towns and cities will now look towards pioneering cities such as Birmingham and see how they too can introduce a cleaner LPG powered alternative that can make an immediate positive impact.

“We look forward to further discussions with DEFRA to ensure that drivers of retrofitted LPG vehicles can enter the Clean Air Zones without any restrictions and helping address the clean air challenge on a much wider basis. Furthermore we are keen to talk to any other councils, local authorities or van fleets about how LPG can help them reduce their vehicle emissions.”