Press Release

28 March 2018

Council receives funding for new 'clean cabs' scheme

Fareham Borough Council has been awarded £150,000 in Government funding to help improve air quality on one of its busiest roads, a short stretch of the A27 to the south of Fareham town centre.

The payment will be used towards a taxi replacement scheme in Fareham and Gosport. The scheme will offer financial incentives to taxi owners in the two Boroughs if they replace their older diesel vehicles with Ultra Low Emission vehicles (ULEVS) or hybrid vehicles (detail to be announced).

There are more than 370 licenced diesel vehicles across Fareham and Gosport with a high number of journeys between the two towns on the busy A32 Gosport Road. This contributes to the levels of nitrogen dioxide, a harmful pollutant, in the area. 

Richard Jolley, Director of Planning and Regulation at Fareham Borough Council, said:

"Improving our air quality is one of our key priorities as we recognise the difference air quality makes to health. By encouraging taxi owners in Fareham and Gosport to switch to cleaner vehicles we can reduce the harmful emissions which will benefit residents in both Boroughs."

The funding award has been made by the Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU), part of Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

ENDS

For further information contact:

Notes to editors

• This taxi replacement scheme is part of Fareham Borough Council's early measures to improve air quality in the Borough.
• The Council established an Air Quality working group after a Government report highlighted areas across the country, including Fareham, which could have unacceptable levels of nitrogen dioxide in the future.
• The report identified the stretch of road from the A27 near the Delme roundabout, down to the Quay Street roundabout, and along the to the Fareham Rail Station roundabout, together with a short adjoining part of the A32 Gosport Road. A major factor is around 30,000 vehicles travelling in and out of the Gosport peninsula each day.
• The Council's Air Quality working group includes councillors, experts, and representatives from local partners.
• This is the second award which the Council has received from JAQU towards improving air quality. In March, the Council received a grant of £500,000.

For further information contact:

The Communications Team, Tel: 01329 824310

e-mail: publicity@fareham.gov.uk

Keep in touch on the go

'Like' us on Facebook 

'Follow us' on Twitter