Ministers to avoid "punishing" motorists in air quality plan, face further court action, reports say

A new air quality strategy to be unveiled tomorrow (Friday) will avoid anything that could might "punish" motorists, newspapers said sources suggested, as further claimaints lined up to pursue ministers in the courts.

The Evening Standard last night said councils will be told to "explore all other options on air pollution before imposing new levies on motorists," while The Guardian today said authorities would be asked to "consider" charging polluters, and that there was "no need for all local authorities to use charging".

ClientEarth, which took the legal action to force a new strategy that would comply with the legal obligation to cut nitrogen dioxide levels, said ministers should not publish "another flawed plan". And an "unprecedented" legal challenge on behalf of asthma sufferers could force compensation payments for allowing the nation's air to exceed legal limits, it was reported.