The Oxford City Council has approved a new plan to significantly reduce air pollution across Oxford, Oxfordshire, by the end of the decade. The council announced the “20 by 30” plan on 26 February 2026, which sets a goal to lower nitrogen dioxide levels across the city to 20 micrograms per cubic metre by 2030. This new target is more ambitious than previous goals and aims to protect the health of residents by focusing on cleaner transport and lower emissions.
The city council cabinet formally agreed to the Air Quality Action Plan for 2026 to 2030 during a meeting on 11 February 2026. The strategy includes 30 specific measures divided into four main areas, including encouraging walking and cycling, helping people switch to electric vehicles, and reducing smoke from homes and industries. Local leaders say these steps are necessary because there is no safe level of air pollution for vulnerable people.
Public feedback shows that 71 per cent of residents who took part in a consultation agreed with the new environmental targets. This latest effort builds on progress made over the last decade, with nitrogen dioxide levels in the city falling by 52 per cent between 2014 and 2026. The council plans to continue this trend by raising public awareness and making it easier for households to move away from older heating systems and high-emission cars.
The plan also provides the background for upcoming changes to local roads, including a trial of six traffic filters, also known as bus gates, designed to reduce congestion. This trial is expected to start in August 2026, which is when Oxfordshire County Council expects to reopen Botley Road. The road has been closed for a major rail project managed by Network Rail, which had delayed the start of the new traffic measures.
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