Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Department is taking steps to ensure that the potential impact of transport-related air pollution on people with cystic fibrosis and other respiratory conditions is considered in decisions on major transport infrastructure, including airport expansion and local traffic flows.

Air pollution contributes to a range of serious health conditions. Addressing this is an important part of creating cleaner, healthier places to live and work. That is why the Government is committed to reducing harmful transport emissions and improving air quality, particularly in communities that are disproportionately affected.

The transition to electric vehicles is expected to reduce air pollution from road transport, because they generate zero tailpipe emissions and lower brake wear emissions due to regenerative braking. The Government has also provided £582 million to support local authorities to improve air quality in areas of nitrogen dioxide exceedances and continues to work with local authorities to achieve compliance with legal nitrogen dioxide limits.

The Government requires nationally significant infrastructure proposals (such as airport expansion) to meet strict environmental requirements on air quality. The Government carefully considers any application in line with relevant national planning processes and policies, including the relevant policy statements which include sections on air quality and health.