Britain risks fines over air quality delay

LONDON, June 28 (UPI) -- The British government's plans to delay air pollution improvements in 12 areas of the country have been rejected by the European Commission, officials said.

The EC, which says air quality must improve, has threatened to impose fines if Britain fails to improve air quality quickly, the BBC said.

Britain has been slow to meet agreed European standards on cutting levels of the pollutant NO2, mainly from vehicles, and asked the Commission for permission to delay air quality improvements in areas of England, Scotland and Wales.

Studies have shown NO2 causes problems with breathing, especially for people with heart or lung problems.

Britain was said to be considering a nationwide network of low-emission zones in which the most NO2 polluting vehicles would be banned.

The European Commission's refusal to approve delays to required improvements makes it likely such a network would now be inevitable, said Simon Birkett, a campaigner from Clean Air in London.