Air quality targets 'may not be met until 2025'

The UK could be hit with hefty fines from the EU, after a new report hinted that air quality targets might not be reached until 2025 in some parts of the country.

A document published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has suggested that nitrogen oxide (NO2) emissions declined by 39 per cent between 2000 and 2009.

Around 95 per cent of UK roads are expected to reach the required NO2 limits by 2015, but it could take a further ten years from this point for London to come up to scratch.

Volume of traffic has been highlighted as one of the biggest causes of high pollution levels and measures may have to be taken to reduce the number of motors being driven around built-up areas.

"The UK, along with most other EU member states, faces challenges in achieving full compliance in our major cities and towns," the Defra report read.

Earlier this week, the City of London revealed it was preparing to hand revised plans of its air quality targets to the European Commission.

Posted by Claire Manning