Blair says Clean Air Day should be marked by commitment to improving air quality and reducing air pollution

Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said we should mark Clean Air Day by renewing our commitment to improving air quality and reducing air pollution across Northern Ireland.

Clean Air Day sees hundreds of events across the UK to highlight air pollution being the largest environmental health risk facing people, with Belfast seeing toxic air levels higher than London. South Antrim MLA Mr Blair, who recently joined the Assembly All-Party Group on lung health, has submitted a series of Assembly written questions on the issue of air pollution.

“The levels of air pollution in Northern Ireland are deeply concerning,” he said.

“That’s why I have raised questions with the Minister which include calling for a clean air strategy as promised in the New Decade, New Approach deal, asking the Environment Minister to increase funding for additional air quality monitoring sites and calling for low emission zones.

“With lockdown, we saw cleaner air and now we have a once in a generation opportunity to deliver a lasting transformative change across our society that will benefit all of us in the long-term.”