The Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
DEFRA
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
13th July 2012
Dear Caroline,
Further to our meeting last year where we touched on air pollution among other issues, I am writing with regard to air quality in Brighton and Hove and other cities in the UK that are still falling below the EU targets.
Air quality at street level in many parts of central Brighton and Hove has not improved significantly since records started in 1996. This has adverse implications for the health of residents of our city.
Nitrogen Dioxide in particular is persistently at levels above those considered safe for health in a number of areas, and above those prescribed by EC Directives.
I know that the EU’s recent rejection of the UK Government’s request to extend to 2015 the deadline by which Zone 10 (Brighton, Worthing, Littlehampton) needs to improve its NOx levels to meet those specified by the EU - and their indication that compliance should be achieved by 1st January 2013 – will be high on your list of priorities, as it is for City Councillors in Brighton and Hove.
It is clearly in the interests of Brighton and Hove residents, the local authority, and the Government to ensure the air quality targets are met –for the sake of people’s health, as well as to avoid a heavy fine at a time when budgets are already under great strain.
I would, therefore, like to ask if you will commit wholeheartedly to working with Brighton and Hove City Council – and the other local authorities - to address the root causes of air pollution and provide all necessary technical and financial support alongside whatever additional traffic management powers that may be necessary.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Caroline Lucas MP Brighton Pavilion
Read the ministerial response here.
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