Bradford Council’s clean air zone initiative has generated an estimated £180.8m in benefits to the city since it was launched just under two years ago.
The benefits have been achieved through a reduction in air pollution, better health for residents, and economic value to the area through increased productivity.
‘The initial findings underline that tackling air pollution is not only critical for public health but also delivers substantial economic value for Bradford and its communities,’ says the research, which has been carried out by the Centre for Health Economics at the University of York.
Their analysis builds on previous research. This found that before the clean air zone initiative was in place in Bradford, air pollution was a contributing factor in more than one in three patients with breathing issues that visited GPs and among half of those treated in hospital.
Within a year there were just under 600 fewer GP visits for respiratory health issues and 134 visits for cardiovascular health complaints, the research found.
The council’s executive member for health people and places, Cllr Sarah Ferriby, said: ‘By encouraging cleaner vehicles and reducing pollution, the clean air zone is now proven to be protecting vulnerable residents, improving long-term health outcomes, and supporting a healthier, more sustainable Bradford for future generations.’
A University of York spokesperson added that the clean air zone initiative ‘appears to be an effective population wide environmental policy, that can deliver measurable improvements in quality of life and economic sustainability’.
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