Council hopes to tackle air quality inequalities with new clean air strategy

The strategy sets out a new framework for maintaining the existing overall ‘very good’ air standards and building on regular monitoring that already takes place, to ensure the air residents breathe is compliant with national thresholds.

The supporting document reveals that the strategy will be funded from a combination of existing budgets and external grant funding.

In September 2022, the council submitted a funding bid to Defra to secure the delivery of a pilot project focussed on promoting positive behaviour change at schools, including the promotion of active travel and road safety initiatives. This bid was successful in securing over £147,000 of funding.

And in September last year, the council submitted a further bid to Defra for £159,840 to support a project to reduce emissions of particulate matter from solid fuel burning. The report says that if this bid is successful, the funding will "seek to engage residents and solid fuel providers to improve knowledge and encourage behaviour change".

Deputy leader and Cabinet member for homes and enforcement Councillor Richard Overton said: “This strategy will ensure Telford and Wrekin is one step ahead of new legislation around air quality.

“Air quality is something we take for granted - just last summer Telford and Wrekin was ranked in the top ten for the greenest urban centres in the country. We know we are on the right track to being a sustainable place to live, work and do business.”

The strategy has three main aims: to maintain and improve air quality; tackle air quality inequalities by prioritising action to benefit vulnerable groups and communities; and link air quality to the climate agenda with a focus on emission reductions, for carbon as well as air pollutants.

According to UK Health Agency, poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the country. Air pollution can cause chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well as lung cancer.

Road transport is the biggest source of nitrogen oxides in the country and is the main source of exposure at the roadside. Road transport in Telford and Wrekin accounts for 42 per cent of the total emissions and up to 15 per cent of particulate matter - everything in the air that is not a gas.

Councillor Overton added: “We continue to bring forward innovative interventions including around 150 [electric vehicle] charge points installed in our car parks through 2024 and building on the £800,000 investment into the Silkin Way [walking and cycling route], the council will continue to invest in active travel to give residents and businesses greater opportunity for sustainable travel that not only decarbonises our transport but connects our communities.”