Non-charging clean air measures for Cardiff accepted

Cardiff Council has been awarded £21m to implement a series of measures to improve air quality after Environment Minister, Lesley Griffiths approved its revised clean air proposals.

In June 2019, Cardiff Council submitted its final Plan to address illegal nitrogen dioxide exceedances in the shortest possible time. It proposed a package of measures including a bus retrofitting programme to lower emissions, taxi mitigation measures,city centre transport improvements and; an active travel package making it easier for people to walk and cycle in the city centre.

The plan was accepted, albeit with a number of caveats; Cardiff Council was asked to provide further clarity their identified package of measures was the route most likely to achieve compliance in the soonest time possible. This included a request for further evidence to justify why a charging Clean Air Zone was not a suitable option.

After full consideration and advice from the Independent Review Panel, the Minister has accepted the revised final plan. The Minister confirmed she is content Cardiff’s preferred option of non-charging measures is likely to achieve the legal requirement and deliver a marked and sustained reduction in emissions. The scheme will also provide further benefits more widely across the city centre.

Following approval of the Plan the Welsh Government will award Cardiff Council £21m to implement the air quality improvement measures included in it.