Grants totalling more than £350,000 for projects to help improve air quality were today welcomed by Aberdeen City Council.
The money was Scottish Government’s Air Quality Action Plan Fund 2022/23 which is given to local authorities as part of their statutory local air quality management responsibilities.
Schemes applied for can include retrofitting vehicles operated by them with emissions reduction equipment, promoting public transport, improved traffic management systems, city car clubs or establishment of Low Emission Zones, any measure that could be included in a noise action plan with a focus on actions that will deliver joint air quality and noise benefits, and initiatives such as Clean Air Day.
The grant money in Aberdeen will be used towards
- Clean Air Day events - £8,000;
- ECO Stars membership - £7,500;
- City centre masterplan traffic management phase 2 - £132,850;
- City centre masterplan and LEZ signage - £24,088;
- Residential cycle parking - £150,000;
- Zero emission vehicle delivery and branding - £10,000;
- Hydrogen refuelling system2 modifications - £20,000.
Aberdeen City Council City Growth and Resources convener Councillor Alexander McLellan said: “We welcome this grant money from the Scottish Government towards projects which will help improve air quality around Aberdeen.”
Minister for Environment & Land Reform, Mairi McAllan said: “The Scottish Government provides more than £3million each year to local authorities across Scotland to support them in undertaking their statutory duties to improve air quality.
“This funding for Aberdeen City Council will make an important contribution to delivering the actions set out in their local air quality action plan and will help make Aberdeen a healthier and more pleasant place to work and live.
“The work being undertaken by local authorities contributes to achieving the actions set out in the Scottish Government’s air quality strategy, which aims to see Scotland have the cleanest air in Europe.
“I know Aberdeen City Council has made good progress in reducing air pollution over recent years, these projects will build on that success to help deliver further improvements for the people of the city.”