Be declaring the Core area a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) we are committed to reducing vehicle pollution and improving air quality. The pollutants of most concern in the area mainly come from motor vehicle emissions. By reducing through traffic in earlier stages in the scheme, we have already achieved an improvement in air quality in the area.

Under the quality bus partnership we would set standards for bus emissions and all bus operators using the Core area would be required to make year on year improvements. It would be necessary for bus operators to make reductions in vehicle emissions to retain their permits to use city centre bus stops and their transponders to operate the rising bollard closure points. An initial target for all buses using stops in the Core area would be to achieve as a minimum, the basic European Union emissions standard by the end of 2006.

To ensure that taxis also contribute towards lower emissions, we are proposing that all taxis using the Core area closure points adopt Cambridge City Council's vehicle licensing requirements to achieve a consistent standard.

In time, we may also need to introduce controls on goods vehicles using the Core area to ensure air quality targets are met. To start this process, we are proposing to set up an air quality partnership with city centre groups to discuss ways of reducing emissions from delivery vehicles.