Rayogreatest hitsplymouthnews

Plymouth third highest area in England that saw air pollution rise after first lockdown

Centre for Cities is calling for urgent action to be taken

Author: Sophie SquiresPublished 11th Dec 2020

Urgent action is needed to prevent air pollution rising in Plymouth as Covid restrictions end.

That's the warning from Centre for Cities, who are concerned that it will get worse when life returns to normal.

They are now urging councils to press ahead with their stalled pollution reduction plans.

The new analysis shows that, while the spring lockdown reduced NO2 levels by 38% on average across 49 cities and large towns, they rose again in the second half of the year as activity increased.

As a result, NO2 levels have now hit or exceeded pre-pandemic levels in around 80% of places studied during the second half of 2020.

In some cities such as Barnsley, Bournemouth and Portsmouth, NO2 levels in September were already even higher than they were before the spring lockdown.

Places where NO2 emissions rebounded the most by September following spring lockdown:

  1. Bristol
  1. Portsmouth
  1. Plymouth
  1. Bradford
  1. Swansea
  1. Swindon
  1. Nottingham
  1. Southend
  1. Exeter
  1. Barnsley

Centre for Cities are now encouraging local authorities to:

  • Discourage car usage by introducing clean air zones that charge drivers
  • Encourage more public transport usage through improvements to bus, rail and tram systems
  • Improve cycling and walking infrastructure to encourage more active forms of travel

Centre for Cities' Chief Executive Andrew Carter said:

"Toxic air has contributed to the deaths of thousands of Covid-19 victims this year and, even after the pandemic ends, will remain a big threat to health - particularly for those living in urban areas.

"City leaders can reduce threat of air pollution, but it will take political will. Discouraging car usage will be unpopular in the short-term but, if coupled with the necessary improvements to public transport, the long-term benefits to public health and the economy will be huge and our cities will become better places to live. Now is not the time for politicians to delay on this."