|
Have your say on improving air quality in Sandwell |
|
Sandwell Council is considering the proposal of making the whole of Sandwell a ‘Smoke Control Area’ in order to improve air quality in the area. The aim of a borough-wide ‘Smoke Control Area’ would be to improve air quality in Sandwell and so help improve the health of everyone living, working, and travelling in the borough. Air pollution particularly affects the most vulnerable in society – children and older people, and those with heart and lung conditions – and it is associated with many adverse health impacts. The council believes that proactive measures now to improve air quality will have a long-term positive impact by reducing the burden on the NHS, reducing health inequalities and enabling people to live longer and healthier lives. A Smoke Control Area would mean that only specific fuels called “Ready to Burn” can be burned or using a stove or appliance made by Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) specifically designed to produce less smoke and particles. The council has set up three surveys to give residents, young people and local businesses the opportunity to share their views on the proposals. Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, cabinet member for Living & Ageing Well said; “We are committed to continually improving the health of Sandwell and our residents. Poor air quality not only has environmental impacts but also affects health, especially the health of our young people.” “As children are most vulnerable to poor air quality, we would really value their opinion. I want as many people as possible to respond to our surveys before the deadline. We must all work together to improve Sandwell for ourselves, our families and future generations.” The three separate surveys can be accessed online and they only take a couple of minutes to complete. There is one for adults bit.ly/36zNGzf, one for young people bit.ly/3B20XPe and another for local businesses bit.ly/3xUL6jg. The deadline for the business and adults’ surveys is Monday 30 August 2021. |