Better air quality is key aim of new grant
A PROJECT to improve air quality in Staffordshire by engaging with schools and businesses and promoting electric vehicle use has received a £300,000 government boost.
Staffordshire County Council has received the allocation from the national Air Quality Grant initiative, which aims to reduce the impact of dirty air on people’s health.
The county council will be working with Cannock Chase Council, East Staffordshire Borough Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council on its Air Aware project. It will involve initiatives such as setting up travel networks including ones around business parks, increasing confidence and awareness of electric vehicle use, monitoring air quality and raising awareness of all causes, consequences and solutions for air pollution.
This will complement work already taking place in Stafford borough and Newcastle borough to promote electric vehicle use and other clean air initiatives as part of the Department for Transport funded SIMULATE Live Labs programme.
Selected Air Quality Grant projects will tackle fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in communities, which is known to be the pollutant of greatest harm to human health. They will also aim to increase awareness and encourage longterm behaviour change.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for environment, infrastructure and climate change Julia Jessel said: “We are committed to improving air quality for our communities and tackling climate change. We can only do this by working together and so we’re pleased our district and borough colleagues will help to make this project a success. This funding is a huge boost and will be a great support in helping us to achieve our aims.”