Mims Davies, MP for Eastleigh, was on the front bench in the House of Commons with Secretary of State Michael Gove MP today as the Government launched its Clean Air Strategy, and opened a consultation seeking views on air pollution and its effects.
Ms Davies, an Assistant Government Whip in the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is working with Ministers at DEFRA to protect the nation by reducing emissions.
Mims said,
‘Eastleigh constituents contact me daily expressing concern over the impact that Eastleigh Borough Council’s constant approval of new homes without the necessary infrastructure has had and continues to have on air quality and the density of traffic in our local community.
‘Yet it is imperative that we act to tackle air pollution, which currently poses the fourth biggest threat to public health.
‘As the local MP I am working towards getting the vital infrastructure commitments needed to alleviate congestion. Having already secured £10 million for the Botley Bypass and £2.5 million towards improvements to Junction 7 of the M27, I am now pressing for the delivery of the Chickenhall Link Road in meetings with the Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond and Councillors at Hampshire County Council.
‘After welcoming Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling MP to Chickenhall Lane to meet businesses in April, I am again meeting with him this evening to further discuss this vital project – and will also be meeting with the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) later this week.
‘Working in my capacity as an Assistant Government Whip, I am proud to be contributing to the Clean Air Strategy which ambitiously looks at how we will go further and faster than the EU is reducing human exposure to particulate matter pollution.’
Secretary of State for DEFRA Michael Gove MP said,
‘Air quality has improved significantly since 2010 but sixty years on from the historic Clean Air Act a clear truth remains - air pollution is making people ill, shortening lives and damaging our economy and environment.
‘This is why today we are launching this clean air strategy, backed up with new primary legislation. It sets out the comprehensive action required across all parts of government to improve air quality.
‘Government cannot act alone in tackling air pollution. Our strategy sets out how we will work with businesses, farmers, industry and households to develop innovative new solutions to reduce emissions. It also highlights how we can all take action and play an important role in cleaning up our air.’