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Public Health England’s air quality review is a ‘significant step forward’, walking and cycling charity Sustrans has said.
The publication outlined a set of recommendations on how the Government can improve air quality, including banning cars outside schools, investing more in clean public transport and foot and cycle paths, as well as introducing road pricing.
Dr Andy Cope, director of insight, research and monitoring at Sustrans, who contributed to the review, said: “This review is a significant step forward in providing clear guidance to tackle all forms of air pollution, including road transport emissions.
“We need radical changes in the way we travel. There is a growing body of evidence that shows investing in and encouraging walking and cycling can make a major contribution to reducing roadside air pollution. The challenge now is to connect the evidence to legislative changes, and to practical measures.
“This review is an explicit call to action for governments at all levels to join up transport, health and air quality policies so that we can effectively reduce emissions from motor vehicles across the UK while releasing health benefits from increasing walking and cycling.
“Equally, it’s an urgent reminder to the UK Government to show leadership by creating new clean air legislation that tackles all forms of air pollution.”
