Tackling air quality

Air quality is a term used to describe how polluted the air we breathe is. Pollutants in the air may be hazardous to people’s health. Air quality has improved significantly in recent decades but there are still unacceptable levels of air pollution in many towns and cities in the UK.

Causes of air pollution

Air pollution is caused by many factors but by far the largest contributor is road transport, with diesel fuel the biggest source of pollution in many towns and cities across the UK. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and tiny invisible particles from exhaust fumes, tyres and brakes are present in the air we breathe, with some areas having very high levels.

What’s air pollution doing to our health?

Across the country poor air quality is linked to around 36,000 early deaths a year, including hundreds across our area.

Evidence from the World Health Organisation shows it’s particularly dangerous to the health of the very young and very old, as well as people who are already living with long-term health conditions like asthma.

There’s no safe level of exposure to air pollution, the effects of which build up over time. Air pollution is linked with cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease. We are learning more about the impact on our health of this invisible pollutant all the time.

New research suggests that people who live in areas where there are high levels of pollution may be more at risk of developing dementia.

What is air quality like across Newcastle?

Air quality across most of Newcastle is good. We have been monitoring NO2 and very small particulates (PM2.5) levels across the city for many years.  In some areas we have faced challenges with levels of pollution being higher than legal limits. We have two Air Quality Management Areas – one in the city centre and one in Gosforth – where we have taken steps to try to improve air quality.

To tackle this we need to look at the wider area. Simply looking at local issues can just move the problem on to other areas, rather than solving it.

What we are doing to improve our air quality?

We are putting in place a number of schemes in local areas to help improve air quality for residents.

These include School Streets and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, which are aimed at making it easier and safer to walk or cycle on shorter local journeys instead of driving.

Together with Gateshead Council we've also put in place a Clean Air Zone covering Newcastle city centre in response to a government legal order.

This order requires us to take action to address high levels of nitrogen dioxide from traffic in certain areas.

Extensive public consultation was carried out during 2019 and the feedback we received - from over 20,000 people and businesses - was extremely useful in helping to shape our final plans.

The Clean Air Zone launched in 2023 and it affects buses, coaches, HGVs, taxis and vans that do not meet required emissions standards.

Financial support to help affected drivers upgrade non-compliant vehicles is available and some vehicles will be exempt on either a temporary or a permanent basis.

You can find full details about the Clean Air Zone at www.breathe-cleanair.com  

In addition to the Clean Air Zone we are also working on a number of initiatives to improve air quality. 

These include:

• creating more efficient bus routes
• improving cycle networks
• improving our own fleet by introducing cleaner vehicles
• upgrading traffic signals to keep traffic flowing and prevent congestion by co-ordinating movements through junctions
• promoting initiatives such as car sharing and car clubs
• providing more charging points for ultra low emissions vehicles.

How you can help

Everyone can help improve our air quality and our health.

One of the ways we can make the biggest difference is to reduce the number of car journeys we make.

Look for alternatives to driving, can you walk or cycle that short distance rather than take the car to work, school or to the shops.

Swapping just one or two car journeys a week for public transport, walking or cycling we would see a huge difference in air quality.

If you are thinking about changing your car, try to choose a model which has low or zero emissions.

If your vehicle is stationary for a long time switching off the engine will make a big difference – including to your own health, as emissions inside the car are higher than they are outside.

Employers can help by setting up car sharing schemes or initiatives which offer staff incentives to use public transport or cycle to work.

You can find out more facts about pollution and tips on how you can help to reduce it at www.cleanairday.org.uk