Air quality project receives £300,000 funding boost

A project aiming to improve air quality in Staffordshire has received a £300,000 government funding boost.

Staffordshire County Council has received the cash from the national Air Quality Grant initiative, which aims to reduce the impact of dirty air on people 's health.

The county council will be working with Cannock Chase Council, East Staffordshire Borough Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council on its Air Aware project.

It will involve initiatives such as setting up travel networks including ones around business parks, increasing confidence and awareness of electric vehicle use, monitoring air quality and raising awareness of all causes, consequences and solutions for air pollution.

Selected Air Quality Grant projects will tackle fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in communities, which is known to be the pollutant of greatest harm to human health. They will also aim to increase awareness and encourage long-term behaviour change.

Staffordshire County Council 's cabinet member for environment, infrastructure and climate change Julia Jessel said: “We are committed to improving air quality for our communities and tackling climate change. We can only do this by working together and so we 're pleased our district and borough colleagues will help to make this project a success. This funding is a huge boost and will be a great support in helping us to achieve our aims.

“Our team has been rewarded for a strong bid for our Air Aware project. This will really complement the work which we have been doing already to improve air quality through electric vehicle use and other initiatives in Staffordshire. ”