Many UK cities proceed to battle to satisfy the legally-defined limits for NO2, forward of the forthcoming Clear Air Day, so Metropolis of York Council’s 2 June announcement that it’s now assembly nationwide air air pollution targets for the primary time appears vital.
The most recent air high quality monitoring figures from the council for 2024, reported on 3 June 2025, seem to point out that the health-based air high quality targets had been met in any respect areas in York for the primary time (exterior of the COVID-19 lockdowns).
Air high quality monitoring in some areas of the town, resembling round Gillygate and Bootham, has proven that most annual ranges of nitrogen dioxide air pollution improved by 27% in 2024 in contrast with 2023.
The council cited successes in its personal work together with: securing additional electrification of buses and council fleet automobiles, insurance policies that incentivise the uptake of extra low-emission taxis, anti-idling campaigns encouraging individuals to show off their engines when stationary or ready in site visitors, and improved electrical car (EV) charging infrastructure – all of which may have helped enhance air high quality all through 2024.
Town additionally operates an air high quality alert system, which sends air air pollution messages and well being recommendation to these most definitely to be affected.
Cllr Jenny Kent, the Council’s Govt Member for the Surroundings and Local weather Emergency, mentioned: “That is sensible information – what a improbable achievement to assist us rejoice Clear Air Day. By being proactive on enhancing the air all of us breathe, the council has helped to satisfy air air pollution targets for the primary time ever in York.
“Having walked the stretch alongside Holgate for over a decade with prams and kids, together with a whole lot of younger individuals travelling to and from 9 colleges within the space, I do know first hand what a distinction this makes. We made a dedication to enhance air high quality once we revealed our 4th Air High quality Motion Plan final summer time and it’s rewarding to see that the measures are working. Cleaner air helps enhance the well being and wellbeing of everybody in York.
“This can be a actually large achievement which we should always rejoice, however we aren’t complacent; we have to see these outcomes and the longer-term downward pattern proceed”.
Peter Roderick, director of Public Well being at Metropolis of York Council, mentioned:
“Despite the fact that we are able to’t see it, air air pollution impacts our well being no matter age we’re. Enhancing air high quality not solely advantages our bodily well being and the setting however may also defend our psychological and mind well being. For the entire of York to satisfy air air pollution targets for first time since COVID is a good achievement.
“We hope Clear Air Day will assist elevate consciousness of air air pollution throughout the town and encourage individuals to think about their air high quality impression in serving to to guard everybody’s well being. We are able to all make enhancements; share a raise to work, work at home or stroll, catch the bus or cycle, if doable.
“The most recent outcomes for the town show how far we now have come lately to enhance native air high quality for everybody, nonetheless we recognise that extra could be executed. Via the council’s Air High quality Motion Plan and different complementary methods, we goal to transcend Nationwide Air High quality Targets and work in direction of assembly stricter World Well being Organisation tips in the long term to additional enhance public well being; this may permit us all to learn from lasting well being enhancements”.
Mick Forbes, Engineering Director of First Bus North & West Yorkshire, mentioned:
“The outcomes are very optimistic and supply actual proof of the environmental advantages we’re reaching with our totally zero-emission fleet on the streets of York, which began on routes by means of Gillygate in September 2023.
“We’re delighted that is recognised within the air high quality evaluation by Metropolis of York Council and can proceed to assist its efforts to create cleaner air within the metropolis.
“By working along with the council we now have been capable of make investments hundreds of thousands of kilos with authorities funding assist to remodel our James Road depot, which is without doubt one of the first within the nation to be declared web zero.”
Going down on place on 19 June, Clear Air Day is the UK’s largest annual marketing campaign to lift consciousness about air air pollution and promote actions to enhance air high quality and defend public well being.
