GREEN groups have said the proposed Zero Emissions Zone for Oxford city centre is not enough.

Green Party councillors and Oxford Friends of the Earth group have both called for more action and sooner.

It comes after hundreds of Oxford Mail readers slated the plans as bad for business or unworkable in an online poll.

Oxford's Green Party group welcomed the city and county councils' proposal to ban petrol and diesel vehicles from the city centre from 2020, but it went on to say the announcement was undermined by the fact the city council was 'increasing' the number of car parking spaces in the city centre by retaining the 'temporary' car park at Oxpens after the new Westgate centre opens, and dropping car parking charges at both the reopened Westgate and retained Oxpens.

The Greens said the increase in spaces by about 300 would attract more cars and pollution to the city centre.

Green councillor Dick Wolff said: "Planning for better air quality in 2020 and 2025 is all very well but it is difficult to take such proposals seriously when the council is taking decisions now which are significantly worsening air quality."

Oxford Friends of the Earth also welcomed the proposal but said it was still 'not enough'.

Spokesman Chris Church said: "The plan as it stands would still mean that St Clements – the most polluted street in Oxford, would not meet safe air standards until after 2030.

"A congestion charge and similar measures will be needed to complement the Zero Emission Zone."

St Clements, with an average 61 micrograms of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) per cubic metre of air, is indeed the worst-polluted road in Oxford: that level is more than 50 per cent above the European Union legal limit of 40μg/m3.

Nitrogen Dioxide, largely produced by diesels, is linked to asthma, cancer and heart problems.

Over the past decade, Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council have helped reduce levels in the city with initiatives such as the low-emissions zone in the city centre, but wanted to do more to bring levels down.

They announced their joint plant for a Zero-Emissions Zone on Wednesday, to be rolled out in four stages from 2020 to 2035.

Regarding the reducing parking charges at Oxpens, Oxford City Council said it was hoping to encourage more drivers to go there rather than drive into the Westgate car park in the centre.

Cabinet member for environment John Tanner said: "We’ve worked with the Westgate Centre to ensure it is ready for an electric car future.

"The Westgate has installed 50 electric vehicle charging points in its car park, it has produced an air quality action plan to promote and encourage sustainable travel, and has paid for air quality monitoring stations nearby to monitor any impact of the development.

"There will also be a single fair ticket, covering parking for one car plus two adults and three children travelling by bus, at Oxford’s five park and rides.

"We are also aiming to expand the Seacourt Park and Ride by 600 spaces to reduce car movements into Oxford."

Regarding St Clements, the city and county councils are now putting together a joint working group to tackle air pollution in St Clement’s Street 'by improving traffic flows'.

Mr Tanner added: "The Zero Emission Zone is just one measure to tackle toxic and illegal air pollution in Oxford. We’re also working with schools to reduce air pollution at the school gate, we’re installing electric vehicle charging points for residents, and we’re installing charging points for taxi operators."