“For their part councils are doing what they can to address this issue. This includes creating more clean air zones, installing clean air monitors in pollution hotspots, encouraging more cycling and walking in their communities and electric vehicle charging infrastructure to make air cleaner for our children and grandchildren."
Commenting on the publication of a National Audit Office report urging greater clarity on air quality information in local areas, Cllr David Renard, Transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association said:
“Tackling poor air quality is a priority for councils.
“For their part councils are doing what they can to address this issue. This includes creating more clean air zones, installing clean air monitors in pollution hotspots, encouraging more cycling and walking in their communities and electric vehicle charging infrastructure to make air cleaner for our children and grandchildren.
“Getting more people out of cars and onto public transport is also key to tackling poor air quality in local communities. However, more than half of places that applied for funding via the National Bus Strategy were denied additional funding.
“We agree with the recommendation for more public campaigning at a national level in support of local messaging as well as much more flexibility in how councils invest in their communities.
“More can be done, but for this to happen councils need continued support with long term funding certainty.”