Britain sent ‘final warning’ on air pollution for repeated breaches of smog limits in 16 areas – is yours affected?

THE EUROPEAN Commission has sent Britain a "final warning" for failing to address repeated breaches of legal air pollution limits in 16 areas including London, Birmingham, Leeds, and Glasgow.

The UK is one of five countries singled out for persistently high levels of nitrogen dioxide levels, which come from sources including factories and vehicles, particularly diesel engines.

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Air pollution is linked to the early deaths of about 40,000 people a year in the UK - and causes problems such as heart and lung diseases and asthma.

The Commission said if the countries failed to take action on the issue within two months, it may decide to take the matter to the European Court of Justice.

The warning comes as campaigners ranging from health workers to environmentalists ramp up calls for the Government to take action on air pollution, demanding a new Clean Air Act and a crackdown on diesel vehicles.

European Commission spokesman Enrico Brivio told a briefing in Brussels: "It is a warning that we send to member states asking to comply, to take measures to fight this poor air quality that provokes respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease.

“It is an important factor on the health of citizens.

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"So we ask the UK, as the other four member states, to take appropriate measures to fight this type of air pollution and we hope they comply."

Asked whether the UK would remain bound by any legal proceedings after Brexit, Commission spokesman Alexander Winterstein said: "For as long as the UK is a member of the European Union, rights and obligations apply. European law applies fully."

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According to the European Commission, road traffic is responsible for around 40% of emissions of nitrogen oxides in the EU, with the contribution at ground level much higher.

Around four fifths of nitrogen oxides which come from traffic come from diesel-powered vehicles, the Commission said.

Jenny Bates, Friends of the Earth air pollution campaigner, said: "It's shameful that the EU has to take legal action against the UK government to get it to deal with the dangerous levels of dirty air across the country.

"Air pollution is responsible for tens of thousands of early deaths every year and is harming the health of an entire generation of children. Current government plans have been shown to be too little too late."

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A spokesman for the Government said ministers were "firmly committed" to improving UK air quality and cutting harmful emissions.

"That's why we have committed more than £2 billion since 2011 to increase the uptake of ultra-low emissions vehicles and support greener transport schemes and set out how we will improve air quality through a new programme of Clean Air Zones", they added.

"In addition, in the Autumn Statement, we announced a further £290 million to support electric vehicles, low emission buses and taxis, and alternative fuels.

"We will update our air quality plans in the spring to further improve the nation's air quality."