3. Statement by the Minister for Environment: Air Quality

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:07 pm on 24 April 2018.

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Photo of Mike Hedges Mike Hedges Labour 3:07, 24 April 2018

First of all, I'd like to welcome the Minister's commitment to take action to reduce air pollution in Wales to support a healthier future for our communities, our natural environment and our country. This issue is very high on my agenda as well, as I am the Assembly Member for Swansea East and we have problems in some of our communities, such as Hafod, where a combination of topography and traffic leads to very poor air quality.

But we've been here before: London in the 1940s and 1950s suffered from smog—a combination of smoke and fog—that was killing people. Action was taken. Today, we know that outdoor pollution is killing people via heart disease and strokes—we know that, and action desperately needs to be taken. I welcome that, in the clean air zones, there are mechanisms for managing traffic access to promote a reduction in overall traffic levels and limit harm caused to health and the environment by the remaining vehicles. This is something that we desperately need in a number of our communities. 

I've got one question, and I think it's almost covered by a 'yes' or a 'no': does this mean that access-only rules for HG vehicles, especially those that are diesel lorries, can be introduced by local authorities?