LGA responds to air quality intervention report

Responding to a Public Health England review of interventions to improve air quality and health, published today, Cllr Martin Tett, Transport spokesman for the Local Government Association, said:

“Air pollution is a public health emergency and councils are determined to reduce the impact of harmful emissions on our communities, including vulnerable residents, in all its forms.

“Good air quality is vital for our health and quality of life as well as the environment and we need to be able to live in safe communities, which includes making sure the air we breathe is as free from pollution as possible. 

“If the Government’s air quality plans and any new local powers are to be successful, they need to be underpinned by local flexibility and sufficient funding which needs to be addressed in the Spending Review.

“Councils also need local powers to further tackle air pollution, particularly with regard to moving traffic offences, government support on planning and transport matters, and robust national action to help the country transition to low-emission vehicles and power generation.”