At the end of the year we lose two key air quality regulations, because we have left the
EU. One sets legally binding emission reduction commitments for five key air pollutants;
the other requires public consultation before revising air pollution plans.
Investigations 1 have found that Ministers ignored officials’ advice on the scrapping of these
regulations. It means that we will no longer have a plan to limit pollutants in accordance
with national commitments. This has brought strong criticism from the Government
watchdog, the Office for Environmental Protection because it “weakens accountability and
transparency and – in the absence of an alternative, comprehensive plan – it has the
potential to weaken environmental protection”.
At the South Kesteven District Council’s Environment Scrutiny Committee, during Public
Questions, Anne Gayfer of South Lincolnshire Green Party asked: “Will South Kesteven District Council write to the Secretary of State for the Environment
and ask for a rethink?”
“Will South Kesteven District Council review its smokeless zones (it is clear from the maps
that this has not happened for some decades)?”
“What can SKDC do to improve air quality in its area? It is sometimes impossible to walk
through Grantham in the early evening without wearing at mask.”
Green Party councillor Rhys Baker, on behalf of the Cabinet agreed that the council will
write to the Secretary of State for the Environment on the first point and that officers would
be asked to review the council’s smokeless zones.
Cllr Dr Vanessa Smith (Green Party) said, “Air pollution is a public health emergency 2 and
is associated with up to 40,000 deaths a year in the UK. We should not be weakening
regulation in this important area”
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