Government criticise Bristol's action on air pollution

Central government have sent a letter to Bristol's Mayor Marvin Rees saying that Bristol's current action on air quality is too slow and the city's plans for future options are inadequate.

Earlier this week, the Mayor took part in a public consultation for a traffic clean air zone, one of the initiatives that he says will help to tackle air pollution.

The letter, sent by the Government's Minster for Air Quality, states that if Bristol fails to meet deadlines in September and December this year, the Minister will be forced to consider legal action “which may include issuing proceedings without further notice”.

Read more: Pollution levels dangerously high in parts of the South West

Green Mayoral candidate Sandy Hore-Ruthven has called on the Mayor to urgently rethink his air quality approach. He said:

The Mayor hit back at the criticism, saying that change is already on the way:

Read more:

• Up to £10 million secured to help Bath businesses affected by Clean Air Zone

• "It stinks" - Bristol mum says clean air zone will make other parts of the city more polluted