MPs Committee calls for new schools and hospitals to be sited away from air pollution 'hotspots'

Mon 08 December 2014 View all news

New schools, hospitals and care homes must not be built next to air pollution hotspots according to a new report from the Environmental Audit Committee, a cross-party group of MPs. The report says that existing schools located next to busy roads should also be fitted with air filtration systems.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Paris has announced plans to ban diesel cars from parts of the city centre by 2020 in an attempt to cut air pollution.

The EAC report is a response to research which says that tens of thousands of deaths are currently being caused by nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate pollution (PM 2.5 & PM 10) every year in our cities.

The Committee Chair, Joan Walley MP said: “It is unacceptable that another generation of young people growing up in our towns and cities could have their health seriously impaired by illegal air pollution before the Government brings this public health crisis under control.

"Children growing up near busy roads with high NO2 and particle emissions have stunted and impaired lung development. There is also emerging evidence that air pollution can increase infant mortality rates, prompt pre-term births and affect cognitive performance.”

The Committee says that a National Framework of Low Emission Zones (LEZ) needs to be urgently set-up to enable LEZs, like the one in London, to be rolled out across the country to reduce inner city pollution.

LEZs, it says, are one of the most powerful tools that local authorities have for controlling vehicle emissions

The report calls on the Government to take urgent action to comply with legal limits on air pollution and save lives by implementing the following recommendations:

  • Include legal air quality obligations in new infrastructure and road building plans;
  • Close legal loopholes that allow mechanics firms to remove engine filter from HGVs; 
  • Examine fiscal measures to gradually encourage a move away from diesel vehicles;
  • Consider introducing a diesel scrappage scheme to help drivers switch to cleaner vehicles;
  • Launch an independent public inquiry to look at the required action on air pollution;
  • Apply pressure at European level to ensure effective EU legislation and 5 emission standards backed up by a robust testing regime

Meanwhile, the mayor of Paris has announced radical plans to ban diesel cars from the French capital by 2020 as part of an anti-pollution drive. Anne Hidalgo said parts of central Paris would severely curtail private car use by creating semi-pedestrianised zones, beginning with an experiment on weekends which could be “rapidly” extended to include weekdays. 

The LowCVP is currently running a project to develop a policy framework which local authorities will be able to use to help tackle climate change as well as local air pollution.

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