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Air Quality (Diesel Emissions in Urban Centres)
23 February 2016
Lead MP
Geraint Davies
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Transport
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Geraint Davies raised concerns about air quality (diesel emissions in urban centres) in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Mr Davies opened the debate by moving a bill to address urban air quality targets, emphasising the critical issue of diesel emissions and their impact on public health. He cited statistics from the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, indicating that diesel pollution is causing over 40,000 premature deaths per year in the UK, with an economic cost of £20 billion annually. Mr Davies highlighted the detrimental effects of diesel emissions on children's health, including reduced lung capacity and increased asthma risk. He proposed measures such as stricter vehicle emission testing to reflect real-world driving conditions, establishment of low-diesel-emission zones, pedestrian-only areas, and promotion of green public transport like electric trams and LPG-powered buses.
Geraint Davies
Lab
Croydon South
Mr Davies emphasised the severe health impacts of diesel pollution, noting that it is linked to lung cancer, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and dementia. He mentioned the historical context of air pollution in London during the 1952 smog event, drawing parallels with today's situation where similar numbers of people are dying due to invisible fumes from diesel vehicles. He noted a tenfold increase in traffic volume over the last six decades and highlighted how motor manufacturers' encouragement of diesel use instead of trams or green transport has exacerbated air pollution issues.
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