In Cambridge, health and local authorities are working together to reduce the impact of air pollution on the city centre and to improve the health, quality of life and the environment of those who use it.

The initiative is led by Cambridge and Huntingdon HA, Cambridgeshire county council and Cambridge city council.

'We are working to encourage local taxi and bus drivers to use ultra- low sulphur diesel and successfully lobbied the chancellor in November 1996 to reduce the tax levy,' says HA health

promotion director Charlotte Black.

'This is by no means a panacea, but forms part of a broader strategy being adopted by the organisations in this area, who are concerned about public health.'