Decision details

Sheffield has been identified by the Government in its newly released National Air Quality Plan as an area in exceedance for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) gas. In order to comply with the European health based limits the Join Air Quality Unit (JAQU), which is a setup of the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Department for Transport (DfT), has directed local authorities to lower the limits.

JAQU has offered Sheffield City Council (SCC) a grant of £100,000 in order to support a proposal feasibility study to explore a range of measures to improve air quality within the City. JAQU will work closely with SCC to submit the feasibility study within specified deadlines, as outlined in the report.

This report is for acceptance of the grant only. Spending the grant will require an additional decision.  

That SCC accept the initial Clean Air Zone Feasibility Study grant 2017/18 of £100,000 in order to carry out a Feasibility Study proposal.

The grant will provide an opportunity to prepare a plan to tackle the problem of high Nitrogen Dioxide levels. The reduction of the levels is required by the Environment Act 1995 (Feasibility Study for Nitrogen Dioxide Compliance) Air Quality Direction 2017.

Accepting the grant and creating Feasibility Study will also engage partners, local businesses and the general public to address traffic related emissions.

Not applicable – The Council has been legally directed by DEFRA to undertake the Local Feasibility Study.