WOBO recognises the need to control air pollution.

The UK Government is mandating that England’s highways authority works more closely with local councils to help reduce air pollution, but has refrained from strengthening widely-criticised targets on air pollution.

In a move announced 18 August 2022, the Department for Food, the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) has strengthened air quality improvement guidance for local authorities. The guidance, and other moves announced today, fall under the post-Brexit Environment Act, which passed in October last year after a lengthy process of almost two years.

Defra is making National Highways the first designated ‘Relevant Public Authority’ for air pollution under the act. This means that the agency will now have a statutory requirement to work with local councils throughout the development and implementation of plans for reducing air pollution on roads.

By Defra’s own figures, domestic road transport generates 12% of England’s particulate matter (PM) air pollution, and 35% of its nitrogen oxide emissions, hence the selection of National Highways as the first body to be subject to this new requirement.

Defra stated this week that National Highways already works with councils, but admitted that the new statutory requirement will likely result in a “more consistent approach” to local collaborations.

UK 100, the network for local authorities, has cautiously welcomed the change. Its chief executive Polly Billington said: “Up until now, our members have found effective engagement with National Highways difficult; they have struggled to find out information, get tangible support and secure funds for air quality action.

“We hope this move is a sea change in the relationship between local leaders and National Highways – but we will keep a close eye on developments to ensure National Highways are acting on their new responsibility to work with local authorities to help deliver cleaner air for communities across the country.”