Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to reduce roadside pollution.

The Government is firmly committed to improving the UK’s air quality and cutting harmful roadside emissions. That is why we have committed more than £2 billion since 2011 to reduce transport emissions and the autumn statement provided a further £290 million to support greener transport. Air quality is improving, but the Government recognises that we need to go further and faster and we will be consulting on a new national plan on nitrogen dioxide concentrations by 24 April 2017. The final plan will be in place by the end of July 2017.

As the UK improves air quality, air quality hotspots are going to become even more localised and the importance of local action will increase. Local authorities have opportunities to improve air quality for the protection of public health and the environment through decisions they make on land use planning, permitting, roads and air quality management areas (AQMAs). Local authorities can voluntarily introduce Clean Air Zones should they wish to do so using their powers under the Transport Act 2000. They also have the powers to issue fixed penalty notices of £20 to drivers who allow their vehicle engines to run unnecessarily while the vehicle is stationary, using powers under the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002.