The Wirral Air Quality Strategy 2024-2028 covers all wards and outlines the work that the council will undertake to support the government's long-term air quality goals, including a steep percentage reduction to population exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5). The strategy will prioritise the actions that will be taken to achieve the overall aim and objectives.

The implementation of this strategy will support the vision of the Wirral Plan 2021-2026, which focuses on making the borough a more equitable and fairer place to live, work, and visit, reducing inequalities across Wirral. Wirral’s Air Quality Strategy supports this vision for Wirral by addressing all of the thematic priorities, in particular, Sustainable Environment; “Working towards a clean-energy, sustainable borough that leads the way in its response to the climate emergency and is environmentally friendly”, Brighter Futures “Working together for brighter futures for our children, young people and their families by breaking the cycle of poor outcomes for all regardless of their background” and Active and Healthy Lives “Working to provide happy, active and healthy lives for all, with the right care, at the right time to enable residents to live longer and healthier lives”.

This is an overarching strategy that cross-cuts work through numerous council departments.

Resolved – That the Wirral Air Quality Strategy 2024-2028 be approved.

The risk of moving forward without implementing an Air Quality Strategy, will mean that the council is not fulfilling the statutory requirement of the Environment Act 1995 as amended by the Environment Act 2021 to publish an Air Quality Strategy setting out air quality standards, objectives, and measures for improving ambient air quality. This would have both reputational and service delivery consequences and would result in criticism of the council by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Poor local air quality affects the health of those living and working in Wirral. The highest impacts on human health come from particulate matter (PM), but evidence for the effects of nitrogen dioxide is growing.

Deaths in England linked to air pollution are estimated to be between 26,000 and 38,000 each year. Although air pollution can be harmful to everyone, the most susceptible to the effects of air pollution are typically the young, the old, and those with pre-existing health conditions. It particularly affects people living in more densely populated and polluted areas, which are often areas of higher deprivation, which can widen health inequalities.  

Short term exposure to air pollution can exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Long-term exposure can cause respiratory and cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, dementia, diabetes, and can affect foetal development.

Air quality and climate change are inextricably related. Many common air pollutants are greenhouse gases and therefore reducing air pollution will lessen the warming effect on climate. Poor air quality and climate change have a direct impact on the health and well-being of both humans and the natural environment.

The strategy will align with Environment and Climate Emergency (ECE) Policy and will deliver the following: ECE Policy 9: Supporting and increase in use of 'active travel', ECE Policy 10: Working to support an increase in public transport use, and ECE Policy 11: Securing investment to support the necessary shift to ultra-low carbon vehicles. This will prevent duplication and ensure efficiency savings. An Air Quality representative will sit on the ECE action group.

The strategy will also support the Cool Wirral objectives including; Clean Travel: A complete transition to fossil fuel-free local travel by around 2030, Adequate Resourcing, Stronger Partnerships And Networks, and Evidence Informed Action.

It will also align with local and regional actions being taken to address the ecological and climate crisis faced, by helping to cut climate-damaging air pollution locally, in line with global targets.

1)  Agree to implement the strategy as it is written.

2)  Members could ask for further changes to be made to the strategy. Whilst this is not recommended it is within the gift of the Committee.

3)  Members could refuse to approve the strategy. However, this would mean that the Council would not fulfil the statutory requirement of the Environment Act 1995 (as amended) to publish an Air Quality Strategy setting out air quality standards, objectives, and measures for improving ambient air quality. This would have both reputational and service delivery consequences and would result in criticism of the council by Defra. If the Air Quality Strategy is not approved, it will prevent the Council from ensuring that air quality is a material factor in all relevant decisions and could lead to a deterioration of air quality within the borough.