§ Baroness Gardner of Parkesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What recent studies have been conducted to assess the relationship between traffic-calming measures and emissions of pollutants from motor vehicles; and whether such a study in relation to the effects of congestion charging on areas outside zones where such charges are levied or proposed to be levied is being conducted. [HL2156]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonMy department has commissioned a number of studies. They show that traffic calming results in an increase in emissions from individual vehicles, but that it generally also leads to a reduction in traffic, the net outcome being that traffic calming is frequently neutral as far as air quality is concerned. They also show that in traffic-calmed areas background pollution and meteorologial conditions are more significant influences on air quality than vehicle emissions.
As to congestion charging, we expect that every local authority that introduces a scheme will carry out a range of qualitative and quantitative monitoring of the scheme's impacts, both before it has begun and during its operation.
§ Baroness Gardner of Parkesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any recent studies have established a link between increased pollution and slowing of traffic due to street works or traffic calming measures. [HL2157]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThere have been no recent studies of the pollution effects of traffic being slowed because of street works. As to traffic calming, I refer the noble Baroness to my answer to her previous Question.