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Consultation Response to Draft Air Quality Plans

The IAQM has recently responded to a Defra’s Air Quality Action Plans. The consultation sought views on draft plans to improve air quality. The IAQM proposes that the test to be applied to the draft plans should be “whether the UK Government is proposing new and improved measures that will meet this requirement of achieving compliance as quickly as possible in all zones.” They point out that “With all the evidence at Defra’s disposal, it is abundantly clear that the problem of high NO2 concentrations, in urban areas, is largely one arising from road transport emissions and from diesel engines in particular.” The response concludes that “In summary, the draft plans proposed by Defra are unpersuasive as a means of achieving compliance with NO2 limit value in the shortest time possible.” Download the full IAQM response (pdf)