Residents, businesses, community groups and visitors to Sandwell are being asked to share their views on a new Draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP).

The new plan sets out how Sandwell Council will aim to reduce air pollution in the borough between 2025 and 2030.

Air pollution is a serious issue that affects everyone’s health, especially children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions.  In Sandwell the main air pollutants of concern are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5.). Vehicle exhaust emissions are the main source of NO2, whilst PM2.5 typically comes from using wood burning stoves as well as bonfires, vehicle tyre and brake wear and construction. PM2.5 particles are so tiny they can enter our bloodstreams and reach vital organs, including the lungs, heart and brain. This means they can cause, heart disease, strokes, stunted lung growth in children, cancer and dementia.

Sandwell’s new plan will update our current 2020-2025 plan. It proposes   a range of practical actions designed to help reduce local emissions and ultimately protect and support better health. Measures include encouraging walking and cycling, supporting cleaner travel near schools, and lowering speed limits on certain roads.

Councillor Jackie Taylor, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health & Wellbeing, said:

“We should never underestimate the importance of clean air for people’s health and wellbeing and that everyone can play a part in improving air quality. We would really encourage people to get involved and help us make this new Air Quality Action Plan as strong and effective as possible. Every idea and suggestion counts, it is really important that the actions we take forward have a positive impact on those who live, work and visit Sandwell”

The public consultation runs from Monday 11 August to Sunday 21 September 2025, closing at 11:59pm.

You can read the draft plan and complete the short survey by visiting: www.consultationhub.sandwell.gov.uk

This is your chance to help shape a cleaner, healthier Sandwell for everyone.

For more information about actions being taken by Sandwell  Council to improve local air quality go to www.sandwell.gov.uk/consumer-advice/air-quality.

Background

Under the Environment Act 1995, local authorities are required to:

  • Declare Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) where pollution exceeds national limits.

  • Develop Air Quality Action Plans (AQAPs) to outline how air pollution will be brought back within acceptable levels.

Sandwell Council first declared an AQMA in July 2005, following air quality monitoring that revealed consistently high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) across the borough, levels that exceeded the national air quality objective.

This new Draft AQAP, is set to replace the 2020–2025 plan, it outlines refreshed actions and collaborative efforts aimed at improving air quality and safeguarding public health.

 Key Aims of the AQAP

  • Protect public health: Air pollution remains the leading environmental threat to health in England, with disproportionate effects on children, older adults, and vulnerable groups.

  • Taking local action: 21 measures are being proposed in the draft Plan, including using traffic  regulations, planning policy, and community engagement in an effort to help reduce local emissions from vehicles, domestic burning, and other sources.

  • Ensuring collaboration: In February 2025, a multi-agency steering group was formed to oversee the development of the Draft AQAP. The group met on three occasions, and amongst others included representatives from:

    • Sandwell Council’s internal departments including Public Health, Transport and Highways, Planning, Climate Change and Sustainability, and Environmental Protection

    • West Midlands Combined Authority

    • NHS representatives

    • National Highways

    • Transport for West Midlands

    • British Cycling

    • Black Country Transport