Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they have taken since 2010 to reduce air pollution caused by traffic journeys to Heathrow airport and in its immediate vicinity, and what was the outcome of those measures.

While the relevant local authority would be best placed to provide details on any specific measures, over recent decades, air quality has improved significantly. Between 2005 and 2013 emissions of nitrogen oxides have fallen by 38% and particulate matter has reduced by more than 16%. The Government is investing heavily in transport measures to reduce air pollution and since 2011 has committed £2 billion to increase the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles, support green transport initiatives and support Local Authorities to take action.

On 17 December, we issued the UK plan for improving air quality. It sets out a comprehensive approach that will reduce health impacts and meet our environmental and legal obligations. It is available on the GOV.UK website.