Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Acknowledged
Since 2017 Defra and DfT have jointly issued directions to 64 local authorities.
Conclusion
Since 2017 Defra and DfT have jointly issued directions to 64 local authorities. It has also identified 31 sections of the Strategic Road Network that are above the limit value and therefore non-compliant. Measures to tackle NO2 pollution include bus retrofit and traffic management schemes, and in some areas, Clean Air Zones where vehicle owners 1 C&AG’s Report, Tackling local breaches of air quality, Session 2022–23, HC 66, 17 June 2022 2 C&AG’s Report, paras 1.3 - 1.6 3 C&AG’s Report, paras 1 - 6, 10, 1.12 4 C&AG’s Report, para 3 Tackling local air quality breaches 9 are required to pay a charge if their vehicle does not meet a certain emissions standard.5
Government Response Summary
The government has directed 64 local authorities to take action to improve air quality through its NO2 programme, and has commissioned National Highways to examine breaches on the Strategic Road Network in England, with £883 million committed to the Programme and £39 million spent to improve air quality on the Strategic Road Network.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Measures to tackle NO pollution include bus retrofit and traffic management schemes, and in 2 some areas, Clean Air Zones (CAZs) where vehicle owners are required to pay a charge if their vehicle does not meet a certain emissions standard. The government has, through its NO programme, directed 64 local authorities to take action to improve air quality. It has also 2 commissioned National Highways to examine breaches on the Strategic Road Network in England. As at May 2022, a lifetime budget of £883 million has been committed to the Programme to support local authorities. Separately government has spent £39 million to improve air quality on the Strategic Road Network from 2015–16 to 2019–20.