Bath & North East Somerset Council is inviting residents, visitors, and businesses to provide feedback on its proposed Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP), which aims to reduce nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels and enhance the city’s environment between 2024 and 2029. The plan outlines essential measures to address air pollution, which has significant environmental and health impacts.
Addressing Environmental Challenges
Air pollution contributes to the warming of the planet by increasing levels of harmful pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. By tackling these pollutants, the AQAP aims to protect not only human health but also local ecosystems, which are particularly vulnerable to air quality degradation. High NO₂ levels can damage plant growth, reduce biodiversity, and exacerbate climate change.
The Environmental and Health Benefits of Clean Air
Reducing air pollution can improve public health and protect wildlife. The council highlights that the UK faces an annual health cost of £16 billion due to particulate matter (tiny particles that can harm respiratory systems and natural habitats). Vulnerable groups, including children, older people, and those with pre-existing health conditions, face the greatest risks, but environmental pollution affects everyone by contributing to soil and water acidification.
Key Measures to Protect Bath’s Air Quality
The AQAP builds on Bath’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ), a program designed to lower emissions from vehicles. The CAZ recently achieved Stage 3 status, maintaining NO₂ levels below the government-mandated limit of 40 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) for two consecutive years. This plan proposes additional steps to reduce pollution further, including:
• Expanding Liveable Neighbourhoods to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists over cars.
• Increasing the number of electric vehicle (EV) charging points, encouraging the shift to zero-emission transport.
• Sustaining the CAZ to reduce emissions from high-polluting vehicles.
These initiatives not only aim to lower harmful emissions but also promote greener, more sustainable transport alternatives.
Collaboration and Review
Becky Reynolds, the council’s Director of Public Health & Prevention, emphasised the importance of collective action, stating:
“In this Air Quality Action Plan we outline how we plan to effectively tackle air quality issues within our control… We want to ensure our residents can live healthy lives, and with the help of this plan, we can tackle the air quality issues we face.”
The AQAP will undergo an annual review to ensure its measures remain effective and aligned with both environmental and public health goals.
Get Involved
The AQAP consultation is open until January 10, offering the community a chance to shape a healthier and greener Bath.
All such plans are met with organised resistance by pro-car and anti-active travel organisations and lobbyists. Bath and NE Somerset Green Party is urging residents to take part in the consultation and support action to push for cleaner air as much as possible.
For support with the consultation or alternative formats, call 01225 39 40 41.
A separate AQAP addresses air quality concerns in Temple Cloud and Farrington Gurney.