European Commission sues UK over air pollution
EC taking legal action as reports say air pollution is causing 29,000 early deaths a year in UK
The European Commission is taking legal action against the UK for failing to meet limits on air pollution caused by traffic.
The case could force the UK into introducing tougher curbs on emissions from vehicles or face significant fines.
Legal proceedings started on Thursday which say that Britain has breached EU limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions, which cause respiratory and other health problems. The UK has two months to respond.
The legal action follows a ruling in May last year in the country's Supreme Court, which found it was breaking the EU Air Quality Directive and asked the European Court of Justice for guidance, due later this year. The action was brought by environmental law firm ClientEarth.
A spokesman for Britain's environment ministry said the government was investing heavily in measures to improve air quality such as increasing the number of energy efficient buses and promoting bicycle schemes.
The case in May found that air quality improvement plans put in place by the government would only reach EU standards by 2020 in most areas and in 2025 in London, 15 years after the original deadline.
According to UK government advisers, air pollution is causing 29,000 early deaths a year.
22 EU member states are also said to be struggling to comply with the Air Quality Directive, according to a Commission website.
