BUSINESSES opposed to Southampton’s new chargeable clean air zone “value money over health”, say green campaigners, who suggest that a diesel tax could be next.

But taxi bosses claim the clean air charge – which could be as much as £100 a day – would have a massive impact on their companies, and say the industry is being made a scapegoat.

As reported by the Daily Echo, Southampton is one of five cities in the UK under pressure from Westminster to improve its air quality by 2020 or face a massive EU fine.

The city needs to reduce its nitrogen dioxide level to below 40 micrograms per cubic air metre. It is currently 42 micrograms.

One way in which it could try to do this is by introducing a charge to bill the most polluting commercial vehicles when they enter the city.

Clean Air Southampton member Liz Batten says more still needs to be done, suggesting a charge on all diesel vehicles which enter Southampton could be the next step.

She said: “It’s a debate over what the council and businesses value more: money and industry or health?

“If the council are serious about cleaning up the city, then this should only be the first stage.

“The next should be a city-wide charge on diesel cars.”

She added: “Reading what businesses were saying about the zone, it should not be a surprise to them. It has been publicly in the works for the past two or three years.

“I think that most fleets have already got up-to-date vehicles, so I really can’t see it being a problem.”

However, chair of the Southampton Hackney Association Ian Hall says the council is just scapegoating the industry.

“Why are you pointing the finger at [the taxi trade] all the time?” he asked.

“We have a monumental problem here. The council needs to look at all aspects and address concerns properly [before anything is rolled out].”

Clive Johnson, chair of Radio Taxis and Radio Drivers Association, added that if the charge is brought in it will “kill off” the city’s cabbies.

He said: “If they implement the charge, especially if it is as high as £100, how are taxi drivers going to work?

“Some, if not most, don’t make enough per day to cover that charge.

“The decision would kill off the trade overnight.

“It is a ridiculous scenario.”

The city’s cabinet will discuss the plans tonight and if approved, a 12-week consultation will begin on June 21.

The council says more than 100 deaths a year in Southampton are attributed to long-term exposure to air pollution.

The authority also claims that air pollution has the same impact as passive smoking.