Sustrans Chief Executive, Xavier Brice, responds to the publication of the UK Government's Clean Air Strategy.
Responding to the publication of the UK Government’s Clean Air Strategy, Xavier Brice, CEO for Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity said:
“Whilst it is important that the Government has a strategy for tackling all forms of air pollution, we are disappointed by the Government’s failure to tackle solutions to reduce emissions from motor vehicles. The Strategy is overly reliant on reactive measures and technological solutions to address poor quality air, leaving other, currently ineffective, pre-existing plans to tackle roadside emissions.
It is clear we need fewer, not just cleaner, vehicles on our roads to truly tackle poor air quality, and while the Strategy acknowledges this it does not provide any new funding or measures aimed at achieving a meaningful shift towards walking and cycling.
We call again on the UK Government to take meaningful action on road transport emissions by investing more into high-quality cycling and walking infrastructure which allows families to cycle and walk to school and amenities with confidence so that it is the most obvious choice for shorter journeys.”
For more information, case studies and general media enquiries contact:
Anna Galandzij, Senior Press Officer at Sustrans, 07557 915 648, anna.galandzij@sustrans.org.uk