Tackling air quality in Gateshead
Air quality is a term used to describe how polluted the air we breathe is. Pollutants in the air may be hazardous to people's health. Air quality has improved significantly in recent decades but there are still unacceptable levels of air pollution in many towns and cities in the UK.
Causes of air pollution
Air pollution is caused by many factors but by far the largest contributor is road transport, with diesel fuel the biggest source of pollution in many towns and cities across the UK. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and tiny invisible particles from exhaust fumes, tyres and brakes are present in the air we breathe, with some areas having very high levels.
What air pollution is doing to our health
Across the country, poor air quality is linked to around 40,000 early deaths a year, including hundreds across Gateshead, Newcastle and North Tyneside.
Evidence from the World Health Organisation shows it's particularly dangerous to the health of the very young and very old, as well as people who are already living with long-term health conditions like asthma.
There's no safe level of exposure to air pollution, the effects of which build up over time. Air pollution is linked with cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease. We are learning more about the impact on our health of this invisible pollutant all the time.
New research suggests that people who live in areas where there are high levels of pollution may be more at risk of developing dementia.
Air quality across Gateshead
Air quality is good across most of Gateshead. We have been monitoring nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and very small particulates (PM2.5) levels across the borough for many years. In some areas we have faced challenges with levels of pollution being higher than legal limits.
To tackle it we need to look at the wider area. Simply looking at local issues can just move the problem on to other areas, rather than solving it.
What we are doing to improve our air quality
We are working with neighbouring council in Newcastle to look at how we can deal with traffic related air pollution in our areas.
Recent government data shows that air quality on a section of the A167 Tyne Bridge and Central Motorway and part of the A1058 Coast Road is still above legal limits and action is required. The government has told us we must address this.
We are already working on a number of initiatives to improve air quality, including:
- creating more efficient bus routes
- improving cycle networks
- introducing emission standards for licensing of vehicles and taxis
- improving our own fleet by introducing cleaner vehicles
- upgrading traffic signals to keep traffic flowing and prevent congestion by co-ordinating movements through junctions
- working with partners on initiatives such as car sharing and car clubs
- promoting Go Smarter sessions in schools and travel planning in workplaces
How you can help
Everyone can help improve our air quality and our health. You can find out more about pollution and tips on how you can help to reduce it at www.cleanairday.org.uk (opens new window).
One of the ways we can make the biggest difference is to reduce the number of car journeys we make.
Look for alternatives to driving. Can you walk or cycle that short distance rather than take the car to work, school or to the shops?
Swapping just one or two car journeys a week for public transport, walking or cycling we would see a huge difference in air quality.
If you are thinking about changing your car, try to choose a model which has low or zero emissions.
If your vehicle is stationary for a long time, switching off the engine will make a big difference - including to your own health, as emissions inside the car are higher than they are outside.
Employers can help by setting up car sharing schemes or initiatives which offer staff incentives to use public transport or cycle to work.
Watch the below videos to learn about outdoor and indoor air pollution or visit the Clean Air Hub website (opens new window).
Charging clean air zones
Following a court ruling in March 2020, the government has placed a new legal requirement on Newcastle and Gateshead to address air quality in certain locations.
This means that we must implement measures which bring levels of pollution in the affected areas to within legal limits in the shortest possible time.
The government has been clear that councils must implement a charging Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and other measures to address the problem.
We are currently waiting for approval from government to our plans for a clean air zone with grants to support those who are affected
The planned CAZ will require older buses, HGVs, vans and taxis to pay a charge for entering the Clean Air Zone and this is intended to be in place later this year (2022).