Air quality on some of the busiest routes in Brighton and Hove is improving, according to new figures.
Data collected citywide by Brighton and Hove City Council suggests nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels have fallen by around a third in the last ten years.
But there have been bigger NO2 reductions in several central areas, including some of the city’s six air quality management areas (AQMAs):
- 60 per cent reduction in North Street, a busy area for shopping
- 50 per cent reduction on the west side of the A23 through Valley Gardens
- 50 per cent reduction in Eastern Road, near the Royal Sussex County Hospital
- 43 per cent reduction on the A23 southbound through Preston Circus
- 40 per cent reduction in Sackville Road.
The council said one of the “big” reasons for the reduction in NO2 has been “cleaner” diesel and hybrid buses.
The introduction of an ultra-low emissions zone (ULEZ) between Castle Square and Palmeira Square meant that local bus companies were required to reduce the NO2 emissions of their vehicles, following previous improvements in particles from the exhaust.
More than 95 per cent of all bus movements in the city pass through this zone, said the council.
Since 2014, 114 double deck buses or minibuses have had their exhausts upgraded to meet higher emissions standards.
A further 52 buses are scheduled to be upgraded by April next year.
Brighton and Hove Buses has also invested almost £18 million on 54 hybrid buses which are powered by a battery when travelling through the city centre.
Commercial director of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company Nick Hill said: “We've been working incredibly hard with Brighton and Hove City Council to improve air quality in the city and it's great to see that through partnership working we are making a positive difference.
“Not only have we introduced 54 Enviro 400 extended range electric buses that are emissions free in the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) through the heart of the city, we also continue to upgrade existing vehicles to the highest standards, with all buses meeting the Euro 6 standard during 2023.
“Buses account for around four per cent of roadside emissions so the real challenge is getting people out of their cars.
“To continue to support this, we've added new messaging to our buses and invested heavily in campaigns that encourage people to travel more sustainably and help improve the air we breathe.”
Last month, members of the environment, transport and sustainability committee approved the air quality action plan (AQAP) which sets out more than 60 actions for improving air quality in Brighton and Hove.
Councillor Steve Davis, who co-chairs the committee, said: “These figures show some excellent progress in improving air quality in key areas of the city, but we know there is still work to be done.
“We’ve shown that by working in partnership with local bus operators, we can reduce harmful emissions without impacting on the quality of services for our residents and visitors.
“Air pollution is a huge cause of premature death in the UK and we need to do everything possible to improve the quality of the air we all breathe.”
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