A region-wide plan setting out a list of measures to significantly improve air quality and the health of local people has been launched by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). The West Midlands Air Quality Framework was developed from an Options Paper produced by WM-Air – particularly Joe Acton – in 2022. The overall aim will be to reduce absolute and unequal exposure to poor air quality, giving everyone better air to breathe and improving health outcomes. A total of 145 options were appraised during the development of the Framework, which were grouped into the following categories: Engagement and behaviour change; Domestic emissions and indoor air quality; Transport; Natural and built environment; Commercial, industrial and agriculture; Public health; Planning, policy, governance, and mechanisms for change; Monitoring and digital; and Climate/net zero considerations.
The first Framework Implementation Plan summarises which of the Framework ‘options’ are priority measures that will be progressed/delivered between 2024 and 2026, as part of £1 million of government air quality funding. These include installing a network of air quality sensors, education and awareness campaigns in communities, the development of an air pollution alert system,
research into the impact air quality by reducing speed limits and devising regional air quality approaches that capture greater ambition for the protection of public health than current national targets (particularly in terms of timeframes). WM-Air will continue to provide guidance as part of the Framework Delivery group.