Ministers block actions to tackle illegal NO2

In 2015 the High Court ordered the Government to ensure compliance with EU legal limits for nitrogen dioxide as soon as possible. A number of councils are now progressing plans for charging clean air zones to bring forward compliance dates. But in the case of an exceedance in Hertfordshire ministers have imposed strict conditions on actions, leading consultants to conclude that nothing can be done to accelerate compliance

06 April 2021

The A10 connects to the M25

W hen the High Court instructed the Government to comply with the EU NO2 limit values as soon as possible it was widely believed that the ruling left ministers and councils with very little wiggle room: action would be necessary no matter how politically unpalatable the necessary actions were. But in the case of the A10 in Hertfordshire the script seems to run a little different.

The A10 is a north-south road managed by the county council, which connects the M11 just south of Cambridge...