Older cars face city ban

Higher-polluting vehicles could be banned

Bristol City Council is considering banning older vehicles from some areas of the city in an attempt to reduce pollution.

The scheme could affect one in eight vehicles.

The restrictions would apply to specific groups, such as lorries and buses, which cause the most pollution and would be enforced by roadside checks.

But motoring groups say there will be many drawbacks for drivers.

It would socially exclude whose who can't afford to buy newer, cleaner cars

Paul Watters, AA

An AA spokesman said although the concept of low emission zones (LEZ) had been around for a while, there were considerable problems.

Paul Watters, head of roads and transport policy, said: "How you do it in practical terms is quite difficult. How do you enforce it?

"The other problem is that the prime vehicle that you let in is the heavy-duty bus which pollutes very heavily - you have undone all the good."

Toll discounts

A city council spokesman said: "This is one small idea which we have not yet adopted.

"Should we ever adopt it as a possibility we would then consult extensively before we proceed."

The council is also considering linking low emission zones with road-user charging, by giving discounts on road tolls for cleaner vehicles.

But Mr Watters said: "It would socially exclude whose who can't afford to buy newer, cleaner cars."