Leeds Clean Air Zone scrapped - what happens when traffic returns to normal? - the YEP says

It follows an announcement last month that the much-delayed £29m scheme would be paused due to unexpectedly positive air quality levels in the city.

Last night a council press briefing was told it was “no longer required thanks to businesses switching to cleaner vehicles faster than expected”.

This is despite millions being spent on business grants and a new camera network.

Campaigners also expressed their frustration at spending thousands on eco-friendly cars they no longer need.

We’re told Leeds now has “cleaner air”. Senior figures say air pollution at key points in the city was “not likely to exceed legal limits ever again, even if traffic returned to normal levels”.

This is against a backdrop of fewer cars on our roads, as fewer people travel into the city centre for work due to Covid-19.

So what happens when they return? Will it be even more hot air?

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.