Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of diesel trains on air quality at railway stations.

We expect the new diesel rolling stock which is starting to come on stream, being required to meet the latest emissions standards, will help reduce air pollution by replacing the oldest diesel trains built decades ago. However, the Government is committed to further improving air quality and is taking action across a range of transport modes. With respect to rail, in September 2017, the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) commissioned a study of air quality in Kings Cross, Euston and Edinburgh Waverley stations. The study will start in early 2018 and is expected to be completed in 2019. In addition, Network Rail, in partnership with the University of Birmingham, are undertaking air quality monitoring at Birmingham New Street Station. This work is expected to be completed shortly.