The government has vowed to ban new petrol and diesel cars and vans from UK roads in the hope to steer road users towards hybrid and electric vehicles by 2040

It was confirmed as part of the government’s plan to tackle air pollution, which according to a report from the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, has been associated with 40,000 premature deaths per year.

Helping local councils deal with emissions from diesel vehicles on polluted roads, the initiative includes a £225million fund to tackle poor air quality, as well as changing road layouts, re-programming traffic lights and removing speed bumps.

Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, said: “Today’s plan sets out how we will work with local authorities to tackle the effects of roadside pollution caused by dirty diesels, in particular nitrogen dioxide.

“This is one element of the government’s £3 billion programme to clean up the air and reduce vehicle emissions.”

The government won’t publish the new Clean Air Strategy until 2018, although it is an important step in combatting low air quality.

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ Chief Executive Mike Hawes, noted: “The industry wants a positive approach which gives consumers incentives to purchase these cars.”

Written by Leah Alger