3. Statement by the Minister for Environment: Air Quality

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:22 pm on 24 April 2018.

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Photo of Hannah Blythyn Hannah Blythyn Labour 3:22, 24 April 2018

Thank you. Can I thank Suzy Davies for her questions? I know that you've got a keen interest in this as the regional Assembly Member. The point in terms of the consultation and directly contacting individuals like care homes and schools is a really, really good point, and I'll take that on board and speak to officials about how we can do that.

In terms of Port Talbot, you're absolutely right that there are the two strands there in terms of the impact on air quality, and that's why I'm keen to look at the Port Talbot action plan and actually make sure that it looks at this as a whole. And we need to monitor to see where the infringements are and when they're happening. As well as the steelworks themselves, you actually have all the other industry around it as well. So, you're right that it is a really complex, integrated situation, but there's no point tackling one without the other; we need to address them together to improve air quality in the area.

I'm not entirely sure on the question about the A roads. The ones that I listed in the statement are where we know there are exceedances, and also because they are trunk roads and we have the responsibility or are able to action that as a Welsh Government. But I take on board what she says in terms of town centres. That's why we need to look at the clean air programme and the clean air plan and how we work with local authorities and other organisations to tackle that.