The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced a new £2 million funding round to help local authorities in England improve air quality.
It indicated that it will consider projects to develop local online air quality resources, along with measures to install electric vehicle charging points and improve cycling infrastructure.
The money is being made under the Air Quality Grant Scheme, which is making £61 million available to relevant projects. Defra said they have contributed to the significant improvement in air quality in the UK in recent decades.
Grants in the previous round, announced in April, included £73,000 to Cambridge City Council to test low cost sensors in collecting traffic data, £59,000 to Eastleigh Borough Council to test sensors and two air quality monitoring stations, and £242,000 to Leicester City Council to develop an air quality mapping tool.
Minister for the Future of Transport George Freeman (pictured) said: “We know we need to step up the pace and clean up our air for everyone - from children on their way to school, to commuters travelling to work, and communities around the country.
“This vital funding will help councils to take forward exciting new technologies, improving air quality and making our communities cleaner, more vibrant places to live.”
Image from GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0
