Responding to measures announced to encourage greener transport in today’s Budget, Cllr Martin Tett, the Local Government Association’s Transport spokesman, said:
“We’ve long called for further incentives to help motorists move to cleaner cars, and today’s tax changes, as well as the announcement of a new £220 million Clean Air Fund, are a step in the right direction.
“We’d now like to see the Government go further and back a national diesel scrappage scheme. This will enable us to both make the transition to greener vehicles easier for car owners, and deliver cleaner air for our residents.
“When it comes to electric vehicles, the Government needs to clarify how the infrastructure required to support them will be put in place, and who will maintain it. Whilst councils are keen to assist the Government in transitioning to a greener economy, we cannot take on the role of replacing petrol stations.
“We look forward to seeing more details on these proposals, but it’s essential that any new responsibilities on transport that councils take on are fully funded, and that they are given whatever resources they need to put the appropriate infrastructure in place.”