Cap Non-Essential Journeys Based On Air Pollution Levels

As we reopen the economy (when it is safe to do so and not before) we should take this opportunity to limit city car journeys based on the total amount of air pollution recorded in the city. We will have to continue to have rules limiting travel for some time, though not avoiding it entirely. That means choosing a level we consider acceptable. We should factor air pollution into the level of journey numbers we consider appropriate for our towns and cities.

Why the contribution is important

We have an opportunity to shape the rules by which we return to normalcy to make things better than they were before. One of the biggest health issues in Scotland and across the UK is air quality, and we can change that now, at a stroke.There must be some mechanism to decide how much travel we accept in the period that we are testing the waters, and measuring and capping air pollution is as good a way as any to do so. Car travel is already starting to increase as lockdown wears on, and this opportunity will not come again. Thousands of deaths every year are linked to air pollution in Scotland alone, and if we're stopping Covid-19, why not stop those deaths too?

by ejb on May 06, 2020 at 10:14AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 3.0
Based on: 10 votes

Comments

  • Posted by lcraik May 06, 2020 at 10:31

    Too difficult to implement in this form

  • Posted by TonyFinn May 06, 2020 at 10:34

    Freedom to travel for all

  • Posted by Jockpollok May 06, 2020 at 10:45

    Ridiculous idea. Clearly people will wish to restrict their exposure to others through the use of public transport. There are likely to be Social Distancing rules which will prevent car sharing. So there is no need to bang the eco drum and try to curtail FREE MOVEMENT of individuals. I pay road tax. I pay fuel duty. I'm happy to pay for my parking in Town.

  • Posted by slf May 06, 2020 at 10:48

    Freedom to breathe and be safe for all.

  • Posted by camerj May 06, 2020 at 10:56

    In more rural areas which have not, thankfully, been affected by the virus, it seems harsh to restrict miles as we do not have access to regular public transport and, more often than not, it is safer to get into a vehicle, drive for 10/15 minutes to a beach, forest etc and not meet anyone rather than walk around small villages, settlements, where everyone wants to come out and chat!

  • Posted by IndyScot1000 May 06, 2020 at 10:59

    Until we can get a lot more petrol free cars on the road, we should restrict cars per family use. But introduce free bus and rail travel. They do it in other countries. Get rail back under govt ownership might be the simplest idea.

  • Posted by Jbobri May 06, 2020 at 11:48

    I agree we should address air pollution and learn from the restrictions that have been implemented during lockdown. As previously suggested, to decrease on reliance on petrol by implementing measures to encourage public transport. Furthermore, some businesses have utilising technology allowing employees the flexibility to work from home which has reduced reliance on travelling by car, bus and rail.
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