Construction plant that is more than 10 years old will be banned in London under Mayor Boris Johnson’s plan to improve the capital’s air quality. 

Fresh planning rules will require all construction equipment to meet strict new standards for both particulates and nitrogen oxides, cutting emissions by  40%  by 2020.

They will also slap tighter controls on dust from construction and demolition, which is claimed to generate up to 15% of air pollutant emissions in London.

London’s borough councils will start implementing the tough new regulations through the planning system from September 2015.

Equipment over 10 years old will need to replaced or retrofitted on all developments in central London and major developments in outer London or more than 10 homes or 1,000 sq ft.

While other cities and countries have introduced emission requirements for construction machinery before, it is the first time any city has introduced rules for both particulate and NOx emissions.

The Mayor’s new mandatory Supplementary Planning Guidance, which was officially unveiled today, aims to slash emissions of dust, particulates (PM10 and PM2.5) and emissions of nitrogen oxides from plant.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: “By replacing the oldest and most polluting bulldozers and machinery on building sites we can greatly reduce harmful emissions and boost our air quality.

“We’ve all walked past construction sites and seen thick clouds of dust generated from equipment that simply hasn’t been updated or replaced in decades.

“This new guidance will reduce NOx and is part of a series of strong measures including the Ultra Low Emission Zone from 2020, that will greatly reduce London’s air pollution from all emission sources.”

The Supplementary Planning Guidance replaces The Control of Dust and Emissions from Demolition and Construction Best Practice Guidance published jointly by London Council’s and the Mayor back in 2006.