Studies have shown the danger to public health that follows from repeated exposure to air pollution. Air pollution increases the risk of mortality by cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. The risk is particularly acute for children, with their exposure linked to diabetes, cognitive function, birth outcomes and liver and kidney damage. It is worrying, therefore, to note that Wales has some of the most polluted areas in the United Kingdom. There is a clear link between air pollution, deprivation and health.

Some of the most polluted areas are in my South Wales East region. In Torfaen, for example, 18 per cent of adults are being treated for respiratory illness. In Blaenau Gwent, the figure is 17 per cent. Across Aneurin Bevan health board areas as a whole, 15 per cent of adults are receiving treatment for breathing problems. Recently, I was concerned to discover that the A472 between Pontypool and Crumlin has the highest level of nitrogen dioxide, which my colleague, David Melding just mentioned; it’s higher than near Madame Tussauds in London. Indeed, the level recorded in 2015 and 2016 was higher than anywhere else apart from central London, as he said earlier.

Under the Environment Act 1995, local authorities—in this case, Caerphilly County Borough Council—have a duty to review local air quality and assess whether health-based air quality objectives will be achieved. In November 2013, Caerphilly declared an air quality management area and a further assessment was undertaken last year. Again, excessive levels of air pollution were confirmed. As a result, the council required a complete air quality action plan for the area. I understand that they are currently consulting with local residents, businesses and other key stakeholders to have input into production of the plan. It is estimated that a draft action plan will be ready for consultation in November this year, Minister. Could the Cabinet Secretary confirm this is the case and will she work closely with Caerphilly County Borough Council to explore all the options to bring air pollution levels down to safe levels?

Presiding Officer, air pollution contributes to over 1,500 deaths in Wales. It is clear we need to develop an effective and coherent emissions strategy to reduce this deadly scenario. We already have the active travel Act to improve pedestrian and cycle routes to encourage healthier lifestyles and to reduce pollution in Wales. We have the tranquil, greener and cleaner places, and grant schemes to support local authority projects to improve air quality, such as traffic flow changes in Merthyr Tydfil and the planting of trees on the Gwent levels. It is essential that Welsh Government monitors the funding of these schemes to ensure they deliver that improvement to the air quality in Wales that we all wish.

As earlier contributors have already mentioned, there are certain measures to be taken: some cars and heavy goods vehicles should be stopped from going to congested areas and highly populated areas in this part of the world. Also, one area that I’d like to ask the Minister about is, in London, when you go, there are so many bays that have bicycle hiring in central London by different banks. So, why can’t we have some of these areas in Swansea, Cardiff and Newport, and, in the north, some in the Wrexham area, where some of the banks can put bicycles for people to hire in congested areas in Wales also? Thank you very much.