Consultation is finally soon set to begin on an Air Quality Action Plan that was due to be renewed in 2016. The Plan, approved for consultation at Cabinet on Tuesday, replaces the plan developed by the previous Conservative administration in 2011 but which Labour failed to implement when it took control in 2012 and didn’t replace when it was due for renewal in 2016. Instead, Conservatives claim, Labour leaders have concentrated on implementing a controversial travel tax, punishing Birmingham residents for their lack of action since taking control eight years ago.

Cllr Robert Alden (Con, Erdington – pictured) said: “This delay lays bare Labour’s failure to take air quality seriously until they were given an opportunity to tax hard working residents. Not all of the 2011 proposals were viable but had they implemented. or even attempted to implement the 2011 plans that were such as an urban consolidation centre, a big increase in park and ride and upgrading all council fleet to electric or LPG by 2015 they could have made significant strides in cleaning the air across the whole city.

“Instead they did nothing until belatedly announcing a ‘Travel Tax’ charging plan that they admit, will unfairly penalise the poorest in society, damage business and push pollution out from the small area in the city centre into the suburbs where people live.”

The Air Quality Action Plan will now go to public consultation. Cllr Alden added, “The council needs to be much more ambitious in its plans to clean the air and move away from it myopic and damaging travel tax. They showed a steadfast refusal to listen to the tidal wave of opinion from the public and businesses through their consultation on the CAZ so it is even more important they listen now, especially given the increased risks to businesses and jobs as a result of the a COVID pandemic.