Government plans to scrap local air pollution monitoring (again)
7th January, 2015
Image Credit: David Holt via Flickr
Defra, the department for the environment, released a consultation just before Christmas which proposed to scrap the requirement for local authorities to monitor air pollution. Under the plans, councils would no longer have to produce detailed assessments, including those showing pollution hotspots. The number of monitoring stations could be reduced to Defra’s network of 100 stations from the current 10,500 used by local authorities.
We strongly oppose removing the requirement for local authorities to monitor air pollution, particularly given its importance as a potential ‘showstopper’ for a third runway at Heathrow. See our recent briefing for more information about the risks of airport expansion to air pollution.
The consultation follows a similar proposal last year which we, along with over 18,000 other organisations and individuals, objected to.
Notes
For more information, please see the Campaign for Clean Air in London article.
The consultation document is available here and closes on 30th January 2015.