SOLIHULL Council is seeking nearly £1million from government to carry out an order to introduce air quality measures on a polluting road.
The government’s Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has issued the council a directive to minimise toxic air at the site.
Two sections of the A45 Coventry Road, by junction six of the M42, were identified by DEFRA as potentially exceeding the annual mean nitrogen dioxide (NO2) safe limit value – of 40 micrograms per cubic metre.
The council’s cabinet last week approved making a request for £824,373 from DEFRA to help it deliver measures at the two locations by next year.
A council officer’s report states: “In February last year the High Court ruled that the government’s July 2017 NO2 plan was insufficient to bring the UK into compliance with the EU air quality directive and ordered that ministers publish a supplementary plan mandating action by 33 additional local authorities – of which Solihull is one.
“A feasibility study was therefore undertaken to identify any mitigating measures in the specified locations, as required by the High Court.
“A programme of intensive workplace travel planning was proposed, which is expected to deliver high value for money.
“Solihull’s package of measures includes workplace travel plans, use of cycling and walking networks, car sharing schemes and changes to signing and fleet.”
Cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Tony Diccico, was quick to point out the council had not yet exceeded the limit and the figures were modelled on projected air quality levels.
The report states the proposed package of measures has been accepted by DEFRA.
Two full-time council staff members will be recruited to oversee the demands of the directive.
Latest Public Health England figures from 2014 show 107 people were dying prematurely every year from air pollution in Solihull.
