Local authorities encouraged to bid for government air quality funding

Councils across England are eligible to apply for their share of a £7m pot to cover the costs of reducing ambient pollution.

Downing Street has issued an open invitation calling on local authorities to apply for an Air Quality Grant, ringfenced for ‘measures to benefit schools, businesses and communities and reduce the impact of air pollution on public health.’ 

Funding can be used on projects that directly combat air pollution, or look to raise and improve public knowledge about the problem. Councils across England are eligible for the scheme, which has now awarded more than £81m since it was first established.

Previous recipients have rolled out digital education packages for children and parents about health impacts of pollutants, and established community websites to host localised information on atmospheric conditions. 

‘Air quality has improved significantly since 2010 but we know that it remains the biggest environmental risk to public health,’ said Environment Minister, Steve Double.

‘This is why we have today opened applications for millions of pounds worth of additional funding for local authorities so they can take the action needed to cut air pollution and improve air quality awareness in their areas,’ he continued. ‘Local authorities know their areas best, and we are excited to receive their ideas for innovative measures which will reduce the impact of air pollution on the health of their communities.’

The Air Quality Grant scheme opened for applications on Tuesday 26th July, will close on Friday 23rd September, and forms part of a wider plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations (NO2). In March, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne ranked as the worst city in Europe for NO2. 

Image credit: Armand Khoury