Pollution act delay a load of hot air

A REPORT on air pollution may be delayed until after the general election, the Government has said.

The Government was ordered to publish updated clean air plans by April 24, after the courts ruled existing plans to meet EUmandated air quality limits, which are being broken across many areas of the country, were not sufficient.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has applied to delay publication of the report until after the election in June.

James Thornton, CEO of environmental lawyers ClientEarth, criticised the “very last minute” application. He said: “We are urgently considering the Government’s application to delay the publication of the draft Air Quality Plan which was received on Friday evening, less than one working day before the plans are due.

“It is far from acceptable that ministers have left this to the very last minute.

“The Government proposes to delay the publication of the Air Quality Plan despite the clear public health risk caused by illegal air quality.

“These plans are essential to safeguard public health and they should be put in place without delay.”