FLEET operators will be urged to work hand-in-hand with local authorities on helping ban polluting vehicles from inner cities under ambitious plans being discussed by a leading environmental organisation.

Alternative Traffic in Towns (Alter) is aiming to encourage fleet operators to develop low emission zones with local authorities to coincide with initiatives to clean up their own fleets.

About 30 people from 12 UK local authorities attended a conference in Chester, where means of combatting rocketing congestion on Britain's roads, particularly in cities, were tackled.

The event also obtained agreement on pushing ahead with proposals for developing a pan-European joint purchasing group, to push for faster development of cleaner fuel technology at a more affordable price.

Stephen Marks, executive director and UK co-ordinator of Alter Europe, said: 'A number of fleet operators have already gone clean and if we can persuade the private sector it is to their advantage to help us and work with us, that would make it easier to get the schemes accepted.'

Marks also revealed that the Greater London Authority has backed calls for London mayor Ken Livingstone to sign up to the Alter project, which could lead to low emission zones being launched in the capital.