Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street are among those set to call for the measure at an a national air quality summit, which takes place in the capital today.

Introducing an early ban on diesel and petrol vehicles, it is claimed, would help to make the UK a global leader in low emission technology and could lead to a 30% reduction in pollution by 2030.

“Our country’s filthy air is shortening lives, damaging lungs, and severely impacting on the NHS,” said Sadiq Khan. “That’s why we’re bringing together city leaders from across England and Wales to put this at the top of the agenda.”

Environment Secretary Michael Gove and Members of Parliament are also due to attend the summit, organised by the Mayor of London, local government leaders network UK100 and think tank IPPR.

City leaders are also expected to urge a modern Clean Air Act to establish strict limits on pollution that would be enforced by a new independent statutory body.

They also call for the establishment of a targeted national vehicle renewal scheme to replace older, more polluting cars. And Government and vehicle manufacturers are urged to introduce an enhanced Clean Air Fund to support the roll out of clean air zones, cleaner buses and taxis, and sustainable transport options.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “We have all been too complacent about the public health crisis of people breathing in illegal, polluted air.

“Greater Manchester is ready to break out of that and show the ambition needed to clean up our air. But we can’t do it alone. We need to see the same level of ambition from the Government in the form of substantial, up front investment.”

He also called for major investment in the public transport infrastructure of northern England to provide people with real alternatives to the car.

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street added: “We need to shift away from diesel as a matter of urgency and I will be an ally for decision makers especially those in national government who seek to find a way to support ordinary people getting newer cleaner cars to replace their dirty old ones.”

Other city leaders supporting the measures include those from Bradford, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Oxford, Sheffield and Southampton.
 
Photo: Alvey & Towers