Written question WQ84970

We are taking forward proposals to enhance monitoring across Wales, as outlined in our Clean Air Plan for Wales: Healthy Air, Healthy Wales. As part of this, we have committed to prioritising groups vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. This includes schools near busy roads. We are also exploring how best to connect air quality monitoring with initiatives promoting active travel to and from schools.

In the 2021-22 financial year we made more than £350,000 available to support local authorities in tackling air pollution. For 2022-23 we have invited bids for the Safe Routes in Communities grant from local authorities – up to three applications, including any existing multi-year schemes, with a significant focus on school streets initiatives.

In addition, during 2021-22, we ran an education programme in schools across Wales with STEM Cymru. This was designed to provide young people with information about the sources and impacts of air pollution, as well as mitigating and preventative actions. You can read more about the programme here.

The Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) regime (set out in Part IV of the Environment Act 1995) outlines local authorities’ duties to manage air quality. Local authorities must review air quality and assess whether standards and objectives are being achieved in their area. We have published statutory and technical guidance to support local authorities in carrying out their duties.

Our statutory guidance outlines that certain groups, such as children, are at greater risk of suffering ill health as a result of exposure to air pollution. The guidance states local authorities must take a risk-based approach in siting their monitors. This risk-based approach is informed by evidence about where likely exposure to the highest levels of air pollution may be, including evidence brought by the public. Local authorities are therefore required to give special consideration to the risks to children from exposure to poor air quality, whether at home, school, or travelling between the two.

Last year we consulted on a White Paper for a Clean Air (Wales) Bill, which contained legislative options to improve the way LAQM operates. This will ensure the regime is enabling local authorities to identify and manage local pollution problems. Ensuring regular and robust review of monitoring locations was included in these proposals.

Additionally, there are proposals within the Clean Air (Wales) Bill to further empower local authorities to tackle idling vehicles, including outside schools and on school grounds. We aim to impose a duty on local authorities to pay due regard to guidance on developing and implementing anti-idling measures (including enforcement) and to empower local authorities to increase fixed penalty fines for idling (for the purpose of increasing the deterrent effect and reducing emissions).