With the ever-increasing understanding of the importance of safe air quality on quality of life and on health and well-being, precisely because of this, I wanted to speak in this debate, in particular due to the fact that I’m a chronic asthmatic, and my son has been hospitalised on many occasions due to his asthma. There is unease at levels of air pollution, and I note that Crumlin in Caerphilly has the highest nitrogen dioxide levels recorded outside of London, which is a key factor. This sits in my constituency of Islwyn and exists topographically in a constricted, high-sided valley containing key arteries for heavy-goods vehicles that go to Ebbw Vale, Caerphilly, Torfaen and beyond.

As a new Member, last week in this Chamber I raised this very important issue with the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, and I have written to and am meeting with key authorities in this matter. It is clearly not acceptable that the A472 in Crumlin, according to Government data, has nitrogen dioxide levels only exceeded by Marylebone Road in central London—bearing in mind that London exceeds its annual mean of nitrogen dioxide safe levels in just eight days. I want to place on public record my appreciation to Welsh Labour councillor Andrew Lewis, who represents Crumlin on Caerphilly County Borough Council. He has passionately taken up the case of air quality for his residents and was featured in last week’s ‘Caerphilly Observer’ once again giving this issue public prominence.

I was going to give key data and facts in terms of COPD and asthma, but that’s already been referenced by other Members. I asked the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs what action can the Welsh Government take to work with the local authority and other stakeholders to lift the scourge of air pollution, and I was reassured by the Cabinet Secretary’s answer to me that Welsh Government has sought strong assurances from the local authority concerning the actions they intend to take to improve the local air quality. The local authority is, as has been referenced, establishing a steering group and seeking to gather input from local groups and residents, and will then develop a strong air quality strategy. This will include a list of strategic traffic-management options for the area and appropriate measures to tackle air quality in the area. The authority have indicated an initial date of November for when this will be implemented, and I am assured that the Welsh Government will keep monitoring this ongoing work and ensure that we are responding to an obvious problem that needs remedying.

It may seem like common sense, but it’s also important, if we are serious about having the best data possible to monitor air quality, that it monitors it as closely as possible to the location in question. Welsh Labour councillors Jan Jones and Philippa Marsden from Ynysddu have also raised with me the issue of air quality for Wattsville and Cwmfelinfach. Local residents need reassurances that it is adequate that air-quality readings for a site in Nine Mile Point are calculated by co-location studies, but ones that are based in Blackwood high street and White Street in Caerphilly. They have been told that there are no continuous monitors within the area in Wattsville itself. So, there are no co-location studies being undertaken in the area of interest. If we are determined, as is needed, to assess and monitor air quality, then the validity of data we rely upon must be the most accurate that it can practicably be.

I note that the Welsh Labour Government wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3 per cent every year and achieve at least a 40 per cent reduction by 2020, compared to figures from 1990. The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 sets a target for emissions to be reduced by at least 80 per cent by 2050. This is to be celebrated and not amended post-Brexit. While I understand the right to chair a committee under our constitution, I will not be alone in being concerned that the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee is to be chaired by UKIP Assembly Member, Mark Reckless, the man who wanted the very green Margaret Thatcher airport. To quote UKIP Welsh party leader, Nathan Gill—