Air quality strategy to cut traffic, reduce emissions and save lives

Currently, nitrogen dioxide levels near some of the city's roads are up to 50 per cent above Government targets, which can have both short-term and long-term effects on people's health.

It is estimated that air pollution leads to between 240 and 325 deaths each year in Sheffield, and can reduce the average person's life expectancy by seven or eight months for the population as a whole.

The health impact of breathing in polluted air is greater for younger and older people, those with existing heart and lung problems and those living in areas where the air quality is regularly poor.

Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, Sheffield Council's cabinet member for climate change and the local environment, said: "Improving air quality throughout the city is a priority for us, but it is going to be a major challenge.

"It is an issue faced by all major cities, but we are determined to take positive action to make significant improvements here in Sheffield."

If given the go-ahead by the council's cabinet committee on Wednesday, January 13, an action plan will be developed covering most of the built-up areas of Sheffield, excluding the Peak District National Park to the west.

Much of the city was designated as an "Air Quality Management Area" (AQMA) in 2001 and, two years later, an "Air Quality Action Plan" was drawn up with measures designed to improve nitrogen dioxide levels.

However, recent reviews of air quality show that the targets for nitrogen dioxide are still not being achieved and the target levels for fine particles – which are associated with diesel engines and some industrial processes – are also being exceeded.

Sheffield Council's cabinet committee is now set to amend the terms of the existing AQMA for nitrogen dioxide and to designate an AQMA for fine particles, which will cover the same area.

The report set to go before that cabinet committee meeting says: "Air pollution levels have not improved as had been expected.

"The Government predictions that new vehicle technology would lead to improved air quality have been shown to be overly optimistic.

"Increases in traffic levels and also the increasing proportions of diesel vehicles have negated any benefits of new engine technology."

The report goes on to say that the new AQMA for fine particles could impact on industry in the city as businesses could be forced to pay higher permit fees of up to 555 a year.

It adds: "Impact on business is expected to be minimal and can be mitigated by the businesses themselves, by improving their environmental performance."

A "steering group" of senior council managers and representatives from other organisations has already been set up to produce the Air Quality Action Plan.

If the proposals are given the go-ahead, measures to be introduced will involve promoting public transport and also trying to reduce people's need to travel.

The report says: "The steering group has considered such ambitious proposals as the introduction of gas and electric vehicles to the council fleet, bus retrofitting and development of a low emission strategy.

"The designation of AQMAs and production of an Air Quality Action Plan are steps in a legal process which will enable the council and its partners to work towards the improvement of air quality.

"This in turn will help to improve health and quality of life for the people of Sheffield and provide a more favourable environment for investment in the city."