WCRAQ Chair Barry Sheerman reflects on the commission’s successes but notes that there is a significant amount of work still to do, including getting the message across to the public about the urgent need for change.
The Westminster Commission for Road Air Quality was established to play a leading role in addressing the high levels of air pollution that we breathe.
From the outset, we have committed to basing our activities on evidence-based policies. In pursuit of this ambition, we sought to identify and attract the very best researchers and practitioners to engage in the working parties, with the hope that this would enhance access to the latest research and development in the UK, across Europe, and beyond.
Over the short period of our activity, we have already successfully raised concerns about the links between poor air quality and its worrying impact on people’s health. On a legislative front, we have been successful in persuading the government of the vital importance of an effective MOT in which diesel particulate filters are rigorously checked.
Our ambition is to measure air quality in every community accurately and report the levels to Parliament annually. This is yet to be achieved, but we have indications of ministerial support.
As we mature as a commission, we are learning a great deal from our colleagues in other countries, particularly those in the EU, with its trade emissions scheme and the deeply concerning evidence of the impact of ultrafine particles.
Globally, we are aware of high levels of pollution in most major cities in India, Pakistan and Thailand. Many of us who have been affected by Beijing’s pollution are amazed at the rapid improvements made since China began transitioning to electric-powered vehicles or implementing other radical changes.
Our challenges here remain substantial, as the public seems complacent about the urgent need for change.
Since we started WCRAQ, we have achieved real successes; now is the time to take the gloves off and raise the temperature of the debate ‒ and never take no for an answer.
Barry Sheerman
Chair of WCRAQ
