Oxford is making a bid to become one of the cleanest cities in the world.

The city that has earned a reputation as a motorists' nightmare wants to be the first in Britain to enforce the use of cleaner vehicles.

The idea is to create a special low-emissions zone, with restrictions on the types and number of cars allowed in.

Backers say the controversial Oxford Transport Strategy, which included the closure of Cornmarket Street, has already helped to create a better environment. Cllr John Tanner, leader of the city council, said: "It would be wonderful if Oxford can lead the way to bringing clean air and cutting down on unnecessary noise. The traffic changes in the city centre and our environmental health enforcement already give Oxford a head start."

The "low zone" idea came from a report by the National Society for Clean Air, commissioned by the Government.

Members of the council's health and environment committee yesterday called for Oxford to head the scheme, and are planning a conference in the spring. A report from the NSCA's Cleaner Transport Forum said the introduction of special zones could help cut emissions from vehicles and improve other aspects such as noise and congestion.

Permitted vehicles would carry a certificate or licence plate, and video recognition or "smart" identification would be enforced by police and traffic wardens.

Susanna Pressel, chairman of the city's health and environment committee, described the idea as exciting but controversial. She added: "It will help encourage manufacturers to carry out more research into low-emission vehicles. I would be quite keen for us to pilot this scheme. We are concerned about air quality, not because we are anti-cars."

She added that, although Oxford could be first, other cities would have to consider low-emission zones.

Electric buses ran in Oxford for four years between the railway station and the University science area as an experiment by Oxfordshire County Council, the Oxford Bus Company and Southern Electric.

Story date: Wednesday 20 October

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