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7:10 AM 14th August 2019
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Bradford Council: Air Quality Survey

 
The deadline is closing for Bradford Council’s on-line survey which seeks people’s views on new proposals to reduce air pollution and protect the health of people in the city.

The Council wants to engage with everyone to find out how air quality affects them, seek their support for different proposals and measure awareness of the simple actions that can help improve air quality. The Council is particularly keen to hear from freight and delivery drivers who are more likely to drive vehicles which emit higher levels of pollutants and who may be affected most by a future air quality plan.

Along with 28 other Local Authorities across the country, Bradford Council has been instructed by the Government to develop a plan which assesses a range of interventions to reduce pollution in the shortest possible time.

As well as consulting on the proposals for a Clean Air Zone, the council is also exploring support packages for businesses and residents to increase the adoption of ultra-low emission vehicles, raising awareness of air pollution and increasing awareness of actions that individuals can take to reduce pollution.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, portfolio holder for Healthy People and Healthy Places, said:

“It is important we hear the opinions of people across the district, so we can work with businesses, communities and residents to find ways of improving the air quality.

“The Council is already working on improving the transport infrastructure and developing a strategic plan with the Government

“But air pollution is also everyone’s responsibility and we need to know how we can help people make better choices when it comes to air quality.”

Currently poor air quality is estimated to contribute to more than 40,000 premature deaths across the country each year, with emissions from vehicles estimated to cost £6bn annually to the NHS and society.

But research has shown that the phasing out of petrol and diesel vehicles would lead to a 30 per cent reduction in pollution in 2030, improving health, and potentially boosting the country’s economy by billions by making the UK a global leader in low-emission technology.

The public consultation will help shape the preparation of the Final Business Case (FBC), due for submission in early 2020.

Air pollution has been linked with lung disease, low birth weight; can affect children’s lung development and may contribute to mental health issues. It is a significant risk factor in premature deaths along with smoking, obesity and alcohol and drug use.

How to Respond

The survey can be found at the following address www.bradford.gov.uk/consultations and should be completed by 19th August 2019.

Anyone over the age of 16, who lives in Bradford or who travels into the District, is invited to respond.

The survey should take a maximum of 15 minutes to complete and includes an opportunity to register for further information.

All information will be kept confidential and survey procedures will follow national GDPR (General Data Protection Registration) requirements.