We should give a grudging welcome to Cardiff City's plans to tackle road traffic congestion in the city centre while regretting that the programme was not started earlier. Pollution is only going to get worse during the four years before the charge is due to be brought in. It is a pity that earlier proposals to tackle air pollution specifically were dropped. I would like to see the council encouraging the take-up of electric vehicles by announcing in advance that non-polluting cars and vans will be exempt from the charge.
It would help if the Westminster government would revive the coalition's programme of electrifying the Great Western main line west of Cardiff. By this means, trains at Cardiff Central need not start their diesel engines when they are at their most polluting.
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