Asked by: Lord Freyberg (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what research has been carried out into carbon fibre particulates released by carbon fibre braking systems used in domestic and motorsports vehicles, and commercial and military aircraft; whether such airborne particulates have properties similar in effect to asbestos fibres; and if there has been no research, whether they will commission a study to look into the long-term consequences on public health of using such materials.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The Government has not carried out specific research into the carbon fibre particulates released by carbon fibre braking systems used in vehicles or aircraft.
The Government will be launching a call for evidence on particulate emissions from tyre and brake wear soon.
Asked by: Lord Freyberg (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether smartphone mapping apps are contributing to the rise of levels of pollution and traffic in residential areas; and if so, what action they plan to take.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Government has not carried out an assessment of whether or not there is an impact from smartphones mapping apps on pollution and traffic in residential areas.
Asked by: Lord Freyberg (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Workplace Parking Levy in Nottingham; and what discussions, if any, are taking place to introduce workplace parking levies in other cities to tackle problems associated with traffic congestion and air pollution.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Government has not made an assessment of the Workplace Parking Levy in Nottingham. Nottingham City Council is undertaking ongoing evaluation of their scheme and Department for Transport officials have assisted them in developing this work.
Over previous years officials have had initial conversations with places that have shown an interest in the Workplace Parking Levy, but to date no formal application to implement a scheme has been received.
Asked by: Lord Freyberg (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research they have carried out into levels of NO2 emissions by diesel trains in urban areas, and whether they intend to apply similar control measures for diesel trains as have been agreed for road vehicles.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The air quality plan for nitrogen dioxide we published in December 2015 sets out a comprehensive approach to improving the UK’s air quality, reducing health impacts, and fulfilling our legal obligations. The analysis undertaken for the plan took account of the emissions from rail travel as part of the assessment of emission sources.
Whilst emissions from the rail sector are relatively low, the air quality plan set out that UK is committed to reducing them even further, along with some of the steps we are taking. For example, the Government has committed to a major rail electrification programme that will see a significant number of diesel trains progressively replaced with electric equivalents.
Asked by: Lord Freyberg (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many primary school sites in London exceeded EU limit values of NO2 due to diesel train emissions in each of the last five years.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We do not hold information on the number of primary schools sites in London exceeding NO2 limit values due to diesel train emissions.
Asked by: Lord Freyberg (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps are being taken to address the key findings of the 2013 report <i>Analysing Air Pollution Exposure in London</i>, and whether additional powers will be given to boroughs, particularly in deprived communities, to further reduce levels of NO2 emissions that are above the EU limit for 2020.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Government’s National Air Quality Plan, published on 17 December 2015, sets out a comprehensive approach to improving UK air quality. A key measure of this is the introduction of new Clean Air Zones in five cities (Birmingham, Derby, Leeds, Nottingham and Southampton), along with the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London. The Plan will tackle the most polluting vehicles in air pollution hotspots and will enable us to reach compliance with legal limits as quickly as possible.
The Mayor is responsible for air quality standards in London. The Mayor provides the framework and guidance which London boroughs use to review and improve air quality within their areas.