A new bill proposes the Welsh Government should have new powers to tackle climate change in Wales, including the ability to create low-emission zones on some major roads. The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill was introduced to the Senedd on Monday and would give the Welsh Government greater ability to tackle air and noise pollution.
While the Welsh Government said it had no current plans to charge drivers low-emission zones – bringing with them charges for users of some vehicles in busier areas – may be introduced for busy stretches of the M4 and A470 if existing 50mph zones fail to reduce harmful emissions. Parts of the M4 around Newport and the A470 have been considered as potential clean air zones. Such zones are already in use in may parts of England including Bath, Bristol, Birmingham, and Sheffield. Other plans include harsher fines for drivers who leave their car engines on while stationary – especially when parked outside schools.
If passed the bill will give powers to the Welsh Government to introduce new long-term targets for air quality under a national framework taking account of the latest scientific knowledge including the World Health Organisation (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines. The WHO has described air and noise pollution as significant environmental risks to public health. According to the Welsh Government it is estimated that the mortality burden of long‐term exposure to outdoor air pollution in Wales is equivalent to 1,200 to 2,000 deaths of people aged 30 years and over. It is important to note that these are not actual deaths as the estimate relates to air pollution being regarded as contributing to mortality. For more Welsh politics news sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
The new bill is part of a package of measures to improve the quality of the air environment in Wales, according to the Welsh Government. It will be made up of eight different topics. These include:
- To provide a framework for setting national air quality targets;
- Amend existing legislation relating to the national air quality strategy, local air quality management, smoke control, trunk road charging schemes and vehicle idling;
- To place a duty on Welsh ministers to promote awareness of air pollution;
- To place a duty on Welsh ministers to publish a national soundscapes strategy, and
- Give the Welsh ministers a power to amend existing legislation relating to noise.
Part of the plans will give the government powers to introduce low-emission zones on trunk roads. There are currently low-emission zones in place in cities across the UK, including London, Bristol and Birmingham. These mean that drivers of more polluting vehicles must pay to drive on certain roads. The aim is to encourage drivers to use newer, less-polluting vehicles or make the switch to public transport.
Under existing legislation the Welsh Government can only bring in clean air charges in limited circumstances but the new law would alter that and enable ministers to create low-emission zones anywhere on the trunk road network, which includes the M4. Speed limits of 50mph have been introduced on five sections of motorway and A-roads to reduce the amount of nitrogen dioxide released from vehicle exhausts. They include the M4 between junctions 25 and 26 and the Upper Boat to Pontypridd stretch of the A470 in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
But government documents say clean air zones will only be considered in those two locations "should the reduced speed limits fail to ensure sustained, long-term compliance". The law, which will need to be passed by the Senedd, would not cover towns and cities where councils are in charge of the roads. But the Welsh Government said it would also let local authorities introduce their own emissions charges as has been the case in parts of England.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) states air pollution is the single largest environmental health risk, globally. Long-term exposure over several years to air pollutants, including fine particles and nitrogen dioxide, can reduce life expectancy, contribute to the development of heart and lung disease and may cause lung cancer.. In children, it can reduce lung growth and aggravate asthma symptoms.
Last month it was announced that some of the most high profile road building schemes in Wales had been scrapped following a review of road building projects in Wales. The announcement made by deputy minister Lee Waters in the Senedd affects more than 50 road-building projects around Wales including plans for a third Menai bridge and the controversial plans to expand the A55 in Flintshire, known as the Red Route, both of which were scrapped.
Climate change minister Julie James has said new powers to tackle air and noise pollution will lead to a cleaner, healthier and greener Wales. She said: “Our Programme for Government sets out a commitment to introduce a Clean Air Bill for Wales and I am delighted we have reached the first stage in our legislative journey which will lead the way to a cleaner, healthier and greener future.
“By introducing this bill, our ambition is to further improve air quality and soundscapes by bringing forward new measures to reduce the impacts of air and noise pollution on human health, biodiversity and the natural environment. The scale and scope of the bill reflects our commitment to improving the quality of our air environment at a Wales-wide level, at a local and regional level and throughout society."
The bill also proposes a progressive obligation on Welsh ministers to introduce a national soundscapes strategy. Wales will be the first nation in the UK to make this commitment. This will put onus on Welsh Government to make policies that not only tackle unwanted noise, but also protect sounds that matter to people, like the relaxing calls of birdsong and nature, or the welcoming hum of a vibrant town centre.
The soundscapes strategy is in response to emerging science on the impacts of sounds on our health and well-being, as well as that of animals. If passed, Wales will be the first country in the UK to introduce such plans.
Alongside the bill, on March 21 the Welsh Government is expected to announce the launch of a Local Air Quality Management Support Fund. The fund will make £1m of funding available in financial year 2023/24 to support local authorities in improving local air quality.
Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Sir Frank Atherton, said: “There is strong evidence that exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of serious illness and unwanted or harmful noise can not only cause hearing damage but also reduces our quality of life.
“Across government we are already taking action to improve the air we breathe and promote healthy soundscapes. The Bill goes further and aims to make our air cleaner and our sound environments better. This is why I fully endorse the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) Bill for Wales.”
Joseph Carter, chair of Healthy Air Cymru and Head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru, said: "We should be able to walk down the street knowing the air we breathe is safe and healthy. The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill, introduced to the Senedd today, is the crucial next step in making this happen.
“Air pollution is one of the most pressing public health issues we face, contributing to the deaths of over 2000 people a year in Wales. It affects the most vulnerable in our society who have done the least to cause it, and it is especially damaging to our children’s developing lungs. Furthermore, it is bad for the planet, since some of the air pollutants emitted by our vehicles are causing the climate to warm up.
“This clean air legislation is not only a huge win for Welsh lungs but also an important milestone in our journey towards a greener, fairer, and healthier future, where we walk and cycle more and use the car less. We call on all parties to work together to make this Bill as strong as possible.”
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