In 2018, the government lost a legal battle over its plans to reduce nitrogen dioxide levels and was ordered by the High Court to bring air pollution levels into accordance with legal limits as soon as possible. Bristol has become the first council in the UK to ban diesel cars and to plan a clean air zone by 2021 to tackle this after receiving mayoral approval . The council plans to ban all privately owned diesel vehicles from the clean air zone between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily . However , the plans will first be sent to the Department for Transport and the Department for Environment , Food and Rural Affairs , followed by a local consultation next year .
Bristol has become the first council in the UK to ban diesel cars and to plan a clean air zone by 2021 to tackle this after receiving mayoral approval . The council plans to ban all privately owned diesel vehicles from the clean air zone between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily . However , the plans will first be sent to the Department for Transport and the Department for Environment , Food and Rural Affairs , followed by a local consultation next year .