TOLLS on major roads in North Wales such as the A55 could be introduced as part of efforts to reduce air pollution in Wales.

Other measures include requiring staff to may for car parking spaces made available at their workplace and fines for motorists who keep their vehicles idling while waiting outside schools, healthcare providers or shops.

It is all part of a move to give local authorities in Wales more powers to charge and fine motorists in an effort to reduce air pollution by reducing the use of cars in favour of public transport.

The move is backed by anecdotal claims that suggests we in Wales have been breathing cleaner air during the coronavirus pandemic due to the reduction of traffic on the roads and in town centres.

Revenue generated by charges and fines could then be used to fund local transport initiatives.

Roads here in North Wales likely to be considered for road charges are the A55 and A483.

The Welsh Government today published a White Paper setting out its bold plans for a Clean Air (Wales) Bill, which will protect the health of the nation and defend ecosystems from pollutants in our atmosphere, in law.

It is currently estimated poor air quality contributes to a reduced life expectancy and death, tallying an equivalent of between 1,000 and 1,400 deaths in Wales each year. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states air pollution as the single largest environmental health risk, globally.

The measures impacting on motorists would come as park of clean air and low emission zones.

These are described in the Clean Air Plan for Wales as zones that "specifically target a defined geographical area with the aim of achieving reductions in polluting emissions locally.

It adds: "In recent years, there have been increasing calls for charging Clean Air Zones/Low Emission Zones to be introduced as a means of achieving local reductions in polluting emissions largely resulting from road transport.

"Powers under the Transport Act 2000 enable Local Authorities and Welsh Ministers to introduce local charging schemes in respect of the use or keeping of motor vehicles on roads for which they are the traffic authority, and may also impose a charge for every parking space provided by an employer.

"Workplace Parking Levies may encourage commuters to find alternative means of travel if the direct charge on employers for providing parking is passed on.

"Reduced car journeys and road congestion can deliver reductions in polluting emissions and revenue generated by such a scheme may be used to support improvements in local transport provision."

In Wales, poor air quality has an especially pronounced impact on the health of the most vulnerable – such as the very young or very old, or people with cardiovascular diseases and respiratory conditions like asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Also, air pollution is having a profound negative impact on our natural world, with more nitrogen and pollutants in the atmosphere being a leading factor in the threat of extinction of Wales’ plants and animals.

Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, said: “Breathing clean air and having access to a healthy environment is a right, not a privilege. We must take decisive and lasting action now to enable our future generations to lead healthy lives.

“Welsh Government’s number one priority remains keeping our communities safe and supporting families and businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“But just like COVID, air pollution disproportionately impacts the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in our society. We know from the report published today that the situation is not straight forward. I welcome views from the public, academics, charities and businesses alike, to help us paint a clear picture of how we will improve our air quality and collaboratively build our path to a greener and healthier Wales.”

Dr Sarah Jones, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Wales said: “We welcome the publication of the Clean Air White Paper. It makes a strong connection between health and air quality, and recognises that it is often the most disadvantaged communities that live with higher levels of pollution. The White Paper strengthens and supports our work to protect and improve the health of the people of Wales.”

The White Paper is the next stage in the process of creating a Clean Air (Wales) Act – a key commitment of First Minister Mark Drakeford. Consultation on the White Paper will run until April 7.

The Welsh Government is also consulting on approaches to reduce emissions from domestic burning of solid fuels, and is proposing similar restrictions to those passed by UK Government for England. The restrictions consider the types of fuel used in the home, and would ban the sale of house coal and restrict the sales of wet wood. These are two of the most polluting forms of solid fuel used in households in Wales.

A spokesperson for the Welsh Government said: “This is not an attempt to ban the use of wood as a fuel, or to ban the use of wood burning stoves. We do, however, aim to inform the public of the hazards posed from fine particulate matter and other air pollution released from burning in any form, and the harm that it does to the health and wellbeing of the people of Wales.”