RESPONDING to the latest figures from the World Health Organisation on the devastating impacts of air pollution on health, Caroline Russell AM, has called on the government to reconsider its "business as usual" transport policy.
Statistics released today reveal that more than 16,000 Britons are dying each year as a result of outdoor air pollution.
Russell said:
“The WHO has again underlined that the air we breathe is increasingly toxic. The silent killer that is air pollution is causing a public health emergency in unnecessary heart and lung disease and early deaths.
"The government has done precious little to tackle the problem of dangerously dirty air at source and is wedded to business as usual with private car-use unchallenged.
"Despite an annual public health bill of £20bn, the government is still failing to take action to protect our lungs and deliver clean air that is fit to breathe."