The West Midlands first mayor Andy Street has confirmed he will look to tax high polluting diesel cars to get them off the streets if lethal pollution is not brought under control.

His comments come after the Government was forced to publish its plans to tackle pollution in major cities including Birmingham - including the introduction of a clean air zone (CAZ) around the city centre.

But critics have warned the CAZ, under which heavy polluting commercial lorries and buses are charged, may not do enough to bring the city's toxic air down to safe levels.

And other investment in trams, buses and cycling are unlikely to be completed and start producing results fast enough to meet a 2020 deadline to cut emissions.

Andy Street

The West Midlands Mayor, responsible for strategic transport investment, will need to work with Birmingham City Council and other local authorities on measures to bring down pollution.

There are about 1,5000 premature deaths a year in the region because of pollution. Mr Street said he has heard from children’s nurseries next to polluting roads and the evidence of the danger is clear. “It is right we do something about this.”

He said: "We need both the carrot and stick. The stick would be some form of taxation scheme on the most polluting vehicles, but equally we’ve got to win support for a scrappage scheme to give financial incentives for people to change their cars as well.

"It has been suggested in London, but we need to win the same thing.”

One London initiative he has ruled out however is a universal congestion charge.

Such as scheme would see motorists scrapping an old diesel car handed a significant price cut off a newer vehicle. The Government in its plan is considering offering people an £8,000 discount on brand new electric cars for those dumping diesel.

Mr Street said a taxation scheme could go beyond the Birmingham City Centre clean air zone charge currently being planned for commercial vehicles and ‘potentially’ applied to private cars as well.

Mr Street has heard from children’s nurseries next to polluting roads and the evidence is clear. “It is right we do something about this.”

Andy Street's manifesto pledges on pollution

  • Has talked of raising toxin taxes for the highest-polluting vehicles in our congested city centres but explicitly rules out a London-style universal congestion charge.
  • Wants an incentive scheme for HGVs to use the M6 Toll road at peak times, relieving congestion on the M6, which is often at a standstill.
  • Plans more promotion for low-carbon businesses, driverless car technology and more electric vehicles.