24 projects to improve air quality to receive 拢1 million fund
New projects around the UK have been awarded a share of this year's Air Quality grant focusing on reducing emissions from road transport.
A 拢1 million fund has been awarded to 24 local authority projects designed to improve air quality in their area as part of this year鈥檚 Air Quality Grant Programme.
The Grant Programme for 2014/15 has focused on supporting projects set up to tackle nitrogen dioxide levels and mitigate emissions from road transport.
Successful projects include 拢40,000 to upgrade cycle and pedestrian links across the A458 in Dudley; 拢21,820 on cycling infrastructure in Cheshire; 拢20,800 to promote electric vehicles in Bristol and 拢31,000 to build a business case for gas buses in Leicester.
Environment Minister Dan Rogerson said:
Air quality has improved significantly in recent decades and local authorities play a vital role 鈥� funding these great projects across the country will help them to continue this good work. I look forward to seeing how these projects will deliver real benefits for communities across England.
Other examples of projects receiving funding include 拢50,000 to trial converting container stacking machines from diesel to natural gas in Southampton; 拢31,320 on subway improvements in Hertfordshire and 拢29,100 on cycle path upgrades in Watford.
It is hoped this grant will help reduce air pollution and raise awareness of the ongoing work between the UK government, local authorities and the European Commission to further improve air quality.
Awards given in the 2014-15
| Local Authority | Project Description | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council | Upgrading cycle and pedestrian links across the A458 | 拢40,000 |
| Bradford | Development of Low Emission Strategy Guide | 拢35,000 |
| London Borough of Croydon | Co-ordination of Cleaner Air Champions (including personal exposure monitoring) across 6 boroughs | 拢51,838 |
| Wandsworth Council | Investigation 鈥� analysing air quality monitoring and licence plate recognition data | 拢48,000 |
| Birmingham City Council | Modelling to build evidence base for measures | 拢32,443 |
| Westminster City Council | Installation of electric vehicle charging points in car club bays | 拢128,800 |
| Southampton City Council | Trial to convert container stacking machines in port from diesel to natural gas | 拢50,000 |
| Southampton City Council | Using wireless air quality monitoring to develop traffic management software | 拢30,000 |
| Bristol City Council | Purchase an electric vehicle for everyday council use and promote electric vehicles | 拢20,800 |
| Slough Borough Council | Develop a Low Emission Strategy with Air Quality & Planning Guidance | 拢42,000 |
| Thurrock Borough Council | Micro-simulation study of interventions at junctions in highly-congested areas | 拢43,418 |
| Leicester City Council | Business case for gas buses | 拢31,000 |
| Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council | Business case for alternative fuels for Heavy and Light Goods Vehicles/buses for Merseyside | 拢40,000 |
| Bristol City Council | Investigation of freight options in potential Low Emission Zone | 拢30,000 |
| Leicester City Council | Temporary reallocation of road-space in busy inner city area | 拢32,000 |
| Cheshire West & Chester Council | Development of Low Emission Strategy | 拢40,200 |
| Cheshire East Borough Council | Cycling infrastructure | 拢21,820 |
| Plymouth City Council | School behaviour change programme - to encourage anti-idling of vehicles and greener forms of transport for the school run | 拢11,761 |
| East Herts Council | Subway improvements | 拢31,320 |
| Cannock Chase Council (covering benefits for multiple authorities) | Green fleet recognition scheme for Heavy Goods Vehicles 鈥� across 8 Local Authorities | 拢80,000 |
| Plymouth City Council | Low Emission Zone Feasibility Study for Plymouth | 拢21,000 |
| Watford Borough Council | Cycle path upgrade including infrastructure improvements | 拢29,100 |
| Halton Borough Council | Quantify and mitigate air pollution caused by local traffic around a major supermarket in the area | 拢9,500 |
| London Borough of Islington (joint-bid with LB Hackney) | Reducing pollution from mini-cabs by creating an electric charging network | Final amount to be confirmed |
| Total | 听 | 拢1,000,000 |