House of Commons · Westminster Hall
05 December 2023 · 4 other contributors · 4,108 words
Opened by Paul Blomfield Lab Sheffield Central
Responding minister: Anthony Browne
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Paul Blomfield raised concerns about zero-emission buses and air quality in sheffield in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The Government needs to commit to clean air solutions fast. The Minister should welcome the bid from Sheffield City Council for ZEBRA 2 and consider further flexibility in the use of funding from the Clean Air Fund, including drawdown of stretch funding and additional funding for electric vehicle roll-out.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Poor air quality contributes to the early deaths of up to 43,000 people every year in the UK. Nitrogen dioxide levels in Sheffield were above legal limits, contributing to around 250 to 500 deaths annually. Older polluting vehicles and buses are major sources of problems, with an average bus fleet age of about 12 years. Retrofitting devices have shown considerable variability, with many not performing at the expected Euro 6 standard.
He expressed concern about clean air zones penalising residents of Rotherham, who drive into the Sheffield zone. He asked for assurance that such schemes will only be introduced where there is a clear business case and community support.
He emphasised the health risks posed by nitrogen dioxide, especially in inner-city areas where poorer communities are often closer to major roads. He also highlighted the challenges electric vehicles face due to Sheffield's hilly terrain and advocated for hydrogen buses as a viable alternative.
Ian Paisley Jnr expressed concern about the Government's strategy on public transport, stating that retrofitting diesel buses is not sufficient. He mentioned that fewer than half of the 4,000 promised ZEBRA scheme buses have been delivered and most by non-UK companies. He urged the hon. Member to consider hydrogen fuel for buses in Sheffield due to its hills. He supported the joined-up strategy for hydrogen technology and encouraged the Minister to attend an all-party parliamentary group meeting on the bus and coach industry.
Jim Shannon thanked the hon. Member for securing the debate and highlighted the launch of zero-emission buses manufactured by Wrightbus in Northern Ireland, suggesting that these buses could be a solution for Sheffield.
Government Response
Anthony BrowneI congratulate the hon. Member for Sheffield Central on securing this very important debate about zero-emission buses and air quality in Sheffield. The Government shares the ambition to eliminate toxic pollutants like nitrous oxides, leading to initiatives such as the clean air fund and clean air zones across the UK, including a class C clean air zone launched in Sheffield on 27 February 2023. Clean air zones impose costs but are necessary where pollution exceeds legal limits and must be addressed promptly for public health reasons. I acknowledge challenges with the retrofit programme aimed at reducing emissions from buses, which has not performed as expected; an analysis is underway to identify mitigations, with results due soon. The ultimate aim remains transitioning to zero-emission buses driven by both climate change concerns and air pollution reduction goals. To date, 1,600 out of a committed 4,000 zero-emission buses are on the road, and the Government is phasing out non-zero emission buses. Two funding schemes for zero-emission buses exist: ZEBRA 1 provided £270 million, benefiting Sheffield with four new buses starting in January; ZEBRA 2 is open now until December 15th, with applications under review. The Government remains technology-neutral but supports hydrogen buses as viable options alongside battery-powered alternatives. Hydrogen may be suitable for longer routes and hilly terrains like those in Sheffield due to its refuelling advantages over batteries. Investments such as £30 million for the West Midlands Combined Authority's hydrogen bus scheme demonstrate support across different regions. Furthermore, I am keen on local production of green technology, including ITM Power's facility, to create domestic manufacturing opportunities and exports through technological advancements. The debate highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptation in achieving clean air standards effectively.