On June 8, a paper was agreed by the Lib Dem council executive entitled A Low Emission Strategy for York.

The paper is not a strategy but calls for one – in essence, a paper calling for another paper.

This paper outlined that there are approximately 158 premature deaths in York due to pollution to air quality. Danger areas highlighted in the report include Fulford Road, Gillygate and Holgate Road (where I live) from traffic.

The paper also states that the council should be doing more with regards to its own vehicle fleet. The 2003 local Lib Dem manifesto promised to “promote the use of electric and other low/zero emission cars, for example in council fleets”.

People remember these empty environmental promises and have seen no action.

Figures I obtained from the council show when the Lib Dems came to power, the council had three electric vehicles and approaching 80 dual-fuel (petrol/LPG) vehicles out of approximately 240 vehicles.

Today, the proportion has reduced to no electric vehicles and 35 dual-fuel (petrol/LPG) vehicles out of approximately 235.

We are going backwards, not forwards, in trying to combat air pollution.

Coun James Alexander, Leader of City of York Council’s Labour opposition group, Holgate Road, Holgate, York.