Ambitious air quality strategy for Leeds

Leeds City Council’s proposed new air quality strategy is setting stricter targets than national standards and aiming to tackle emissions from homes, industry and agriculture as well as transport.

Electric bin lorries, a public bike sharing scheme, enhanced enforcement of industrial emissions, citywide engagement, and planning policies requiring greener and better ventilated buildings would all be introduced as part of the strategy.

Air quality in Leeds has improved significantly in recent years and is now generally cleaner and healthier than many other UK cities. However, continuing to reduce air pollution levels could save even more lives.

While road transport remains the main source of outdoor air pollution in Leeds, it is not the only one. According to the government, domestic burning of stoves and open fires is now the biggest source of particulate matter emissions—the type of pollution that Leeds needs to reduce to meet its new targets.

The proposed strategy aims to further protect everyone in Leeds from dirty air by eliminating the need for the city's remaining Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) and achieving the stricter World Health Organisation (WHO) targets for air quality citywide by 2030.

Measures in the strategy include: clean transport emissions by supporting the transition to zero emission vehicles and making buses better; promoting pollution-free and active ways to travel; reducing emissions from homes and raise awareness of indoor air pollution; and working in partnership with the health and care sector to ensure that the most vulnerable residents understand how best to protect themselves from pollutants.

Helen Hayden, executive member with responsibility for air quality, said: “Leeds’ air quality has improved significantly in recent years, thanks to a truly citywide effort, and our city has come a long way since 2015.

“By setting tough—but necessary—targets to meet the World Health Organisation's guidelines for air pollution, our new strategy is one of the most ambitious and wide ranging of any local authority. Having already beaten the national targets for air quality, this strategy means Leeds is going further and faster than government to tackle pollution and protect the health of everyone in Leeds.”