GOV.UK Update: Air Pollution and COVID-19 mortality rates in England
HMG has recently published on its website the results of an investigation into any potential correlation between common air pollutants and COVID-19 related mortality. Extracts from the findings of this investigation which can be found on government weblink are summarized below. Some studies have suggested that long-term exposure to poor air quality is associated with […]
First Air Quality Plan approved for Nottingham, with others in close pursuit.
Following a £3.5 billion investment into the government’s plan to tackle harmful emissions from road transport across the country, Nottingham City Council’s hard work has paid off and can proudly announce that they are the first local authority to have their air quality plan approved by the government. The Nottingham air quality plan seeks to […]
New Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region now published by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe.
These new WHO guidelines reflect increasing concerns about noise as a public health issue, which has adverse effects on human health and well-being. Their primary aim is to provide recommendations on the protection of health from human exposure to environmental noise associated with transportation, wind turbines and leisure activities. The guidelines are based on comprehensive […]
Defra Warns Councils on Progress of Air Quality Plans
In a bid to improve air quality across the UK, letters have been sent from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) to some City Councils outlining concerns at the progress of plans to improve air quality in certain areas. Ministerial Directions were sent previously to councils requesting that by 15th September […]
Birmingham Council Criticised for Delays to Air Quality Plans
The Under Secretary of State for the Environment, Dr Thérèse Coffey MP, has written to the leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Ian Ward, to express her disappointment in the progress of the authority’s plans to tackle nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the city. Birmingham is one of six UK cities, including London, Leeds, Derby, Southampton […]
Government Publishes New Air Quality Plan
The UK Government published the updated Air Quality Plan for consultation, five days prior to the deadline date of the 9th May. The new Plan has already come under fire from members of the Opposition, ClientEarth, Friends of the Earth and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who labelled the Plan “toothless and wholly inadequate”. […]
Government Loses Air Quality Plea
Government loses court plea to delay publishing Air Quality Plan On Friday 21st April, the Government lodged an application to delay publishing the Air Quality Action Plan until after the general election. The pre-election period or ‘purdah ‘ requirements, during which the government cannot release any new or controversial initiatives or announcements between the announcement […]
EU Briefing Paper Released – Managing Exposure to Noise in Europe
A new briefing paper has been published by the European Environment Agency updating the estimated amount of people exposed to environmental noise pollution across Europe. In addition, the paper also summarises the measures implemented in Member States to manage noise including; replacement of road surfaces, improvement of traffic flow and the introduction of lower speed […]
Air quality concerns lead local London businesses to take action
Poor air quality in major world cities is attracting considerable media attention, as the general public becomes increasingly aware of the dangers faced by inhaling high concentrations of pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. Road traffic and fuel combustion (industrial and domestic) are the primary sources of these emissions, and have led to […]
Government Publishes Southdowns Reports – Ministry of Defence Test Range Noise & Vibration Study
The Government has published a series of technical reports prepared by Southdowns following a 2 year long independent study into the possible impact of damaging noise and vibration effects at the Ministry of Defence’s test Ranges located at Pendine in south Wales and Shoeburyness in Essex. Southdowns was appointed to undertake the study in and […]
