![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
. | ![]() |
. |
![]() by Staff Writers London (AFP) Dec 17, 2019
Petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned from a street in central London in an innovative attempt to reduce pollution, local authorities said. Officials said Beech Street, which runs underneath the Brutalist designed Barbican Estate, would become Britain's first "24-7 zero emission street". During an 18-month trial starting next year, the area will be restricted to electric or hybrid vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, the City of London Corporation announced on Monday. However, access will be given for refuse collection and deliveries, for those using car parks off the street and emergency vehicles. "Drastically reducing air pollution requires radical actions, and these plans will help us eliminate toxic air on our streets," said the chairman of the corporation's environment committee, Jeremy Simon. Officials told AFP they expected a reduction of 90 to 95 percent in traffic on Beech Street, and an improvement in air quality around the immediate area, which includes two schools. "The scheme aims to bring nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels within air quality guidelines set out by the European Union and World Health Organisation," a corporation statement said. The trial is separate from the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) introduced across the centre of London earlier this year, for which motorists in older, more polluting vehicles must pay a charge to enter.
![]() ![]() Lofty promises for autonomous cars unfulfilled New York (AFP) Dec 15, 2019 The first driverless cars were supposed to be deployed on the roads of American cities in 2019, but just a few days before the end of the year, the lofty promises of car manufacturers and Silicon Valley remain far from becoming reality. Recent accidents, such as those involving Tesla cars equipped with Autopilot, a driver assistance software, have shown that "the technology is not ready," said Dan Albert, critic and author of the book "Are We There Yet?" on the history of the American automobile. ... read more
![]() |
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |