NGV Network calls on new metro mayors to tackle air pollution

The Natural Gas Vehicle Network (NGVN) has called on the newly elected mayors of UK combined authorities to make tackling air pollution central to their work in the coming three years. It says the new mayors in the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City Region, the Tees Valley, the West of England and Cambridgeshire could play a vital role in this effort by bringing various stakeholders together with a common goal: improving their regions’ air for the good of all of their residents. Recognisi
May 18, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The Natural Gas Vehicle Network (NGVN) has called on the newly elected mayors of UK combined authorities to make tackling air pollution central to their work in the coming three years. It says the new mayors in the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City Region, the Tees Valley, the West of England and Cambridgeshire could play a vital role in this effort by bringing various stakeholders together with a common goal: improving their regions’ air for the good of all of their residents.


Recognising the importance of freight transport in keeping their regions, and their inhabitants, fully provided for, there is a challenge not only to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but also to improving air quality too, with the latter being a particular problem for inner cities.

Specific attention is needed to clean up HGVs, one of the most vital yet most polluting types of vehicle for cities. HGVs are estimated to account for 16% of UK road transport GHGs emissions, 21 per cent of road transport nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions but make up just five per cent of vehicle miles travelled and less than two per cent of vehicles on the road. Their disproportionate environmental impact suggests it is an area ripe for action.

Mike Foster, CEO of NGVN, said, “Progress on cleaning up Britain’s air and helping fleet operators transition to cleaner vehicles has been unacceptably slow for too long. We know this is a problem which crosses local authority boundaries which is why the new combined authority mayors will hold such a unique and vital role in driving improvements in air quality.”

Air Quality & Weather Systems

Related Content

  • ITF diagnoses South Asia’s breathing difficulties
    August 26, 2022
    One of the world’s fastest-growing regions faces major transport sector decisions if it is to avoid spiralling emissions problems in coming decades. Alan Dron takes a look at a new report on Asia from the International Transport Forum
    Read More
  • Report urges US$25 billion transport improvement plan
    August 6, 2014
    The One North report, produced by the city regions of Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield in the UK, puts forward a strategic proposition for transport in the north of the country. The US$16.8-US$25.2 billion plan urges major changes in connectivity and capacity between the northern cities over the next 15 years and proposes optimisation of strategic highway capacity, a new high speed trans-Pennine rail route and improved city region rail networks interconnected with HS2 services, new inte
    Read More
  • New York City joins San Francisco and Oakland in greenhouse gas reduction
    December 10, 2015
    In the light of the COP21 Paris Climate Conference, New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio has announced a major initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the city’s large fleet of light duty and heavy duty vehicles. To meet its goals, the initiative relies heavily on new technology diesel engines and bio-based diesel fuels. Following in the footsteps of San Francisco and Oakland, California, New York City is seeking to require the use of renewable diesel fuel. Earlier this year, San Francisco
    Read More
  • ‘Green bus’ guide launched
    November 2, 2016
    The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) has launched the Low Emission Bus (LEB) Guide, which aims to be a vital reference for bus operators and local authorities, providing an overview of the benefits of a range of low emission fuels and technologies that reduce both air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The Guide is intended to equip bus operators and local authorities with information to aid purchasing decisions, and encourage the adoption of the most appropriate low emission bus technology a
    Read More

Highlighted Content