HC Deb 18 December 2003 vol 415 cc1016-7W
Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department is undertaking to reduce levels of nitrogen dioxide around Heathrow airport. [143793]

Mr. Bradshaw

The Air Quality Strategy sets out the Government's policies and measures to reduce levels of nitrogen dioxide and other key air pollution throughout the UK in general. Various emissions sources may contribute to levels of nitrogen dioxide in the Heathrow area. The Department is working with other departments, local authorities and other organisations concerned to secure improvements.

Emissions arising in mainland Europe can contribute significantly to concentrations in London and the South East. Reductions agreed under the National Emission Ceiling Directive in UK and in other member states will cut emissions of oxide of nitrogen and other air pollutants at source.

Measures to cut emissions from transport include tighter vehicle emission and fuel standards, fuel duty differentials and schemes to promote the wider use of greener fuels and vehicles. The 10-year transport plan sets out measures to improve public transport, to cut congestion and to reduce air pollution. The UK is working through the International Civil Aviation Organisation to reduce emissions from aviation. Under a condition in the planning permission for the Fifth Terminal at Heathrow BAA plc are required to produce and review an action plan to minimise emissions—their Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan was published in April 2002 and is currently being reviewed.

Under their statutory duties for air quality, the three local authorities adjacent to Heathrow have declared Air Quality Management Areas in the vicinity of the airport and are now developing action plans in order to improve local air quality.

Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what targets her Department has set to reduce the levels of nitrogen dioxide by(a) 2005 and (b) 2010. [143823]

Mr. Bradshaw

The national Air Quality Strategy, published in 2000, sets a one hour mean air quality objective for nitrogen dioxide of 200 micrograms per cubic metre not be exceeded more than 18 times per year and an annual mean of 40 micrograms per cubic metre, both to be achieved by 31 December 2005. These objectives, together with objectives for six other air pollutants, are prescribed in the Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000. Local authorities are required to review and assess the objectives and, where these are unlikely to be met, to work towards the achievement. European Council Directive 99/30/EC sets similar limit values for nitrogen dioxide which members states are required to achieve by 2010. The limit values have been implemented by the Air Quality Limit Values Regulations 2003.