Lib Dems lead on air quality action

Guildford Lib Dems are leading on action to improve air quality in the town centre and wider area.

Guildford Borough Council has just closed its consultation inviting residents, visitors and businesses to comment on its draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) that sets out to achieve reductions in the levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and other air pollutants in the local area. An Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) in Guildford town centre was approved in October 2021 following a breach of the air quality standard for nitrogen dioxide, that was assessed to be down to emissions from road traffic.

Lib Dem Cllr Cait Taylor, Lead Councillor on Climate Change at Guildford Borough Council, said

"It's vital that we take action to improve air quality and the health and quality of life of Guildford residents and visitors."

The AQAP sets out measures for further investigation with the aim of tackling this problem and achieving national air quality objectives in the town centre and surrounding area. The plan will have to go to DEFRA for final approval and the Council may decide to hold further consultations before implementing some of the measures.