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<p>In our Transport Decarbonisation Plan, we have set out our ambition to deliver
a net zero rail network by 2050. Rail decarbonisation will significantly improve air
quality on the railway in the longer-term, however the Government is determined to
reduce the impact of poor air quality on railway users, workers, and neighbours now.
We know that air pollution in stations is an area of particular concern. To better
understand it the Department has funded air quality monitoring studies at three large
enclosed stations; Birmingham New Street, London King’s Cross and Edinburgh Waverley.
This research has highlighted that enclosed stations can be high risk areas for poor
air quality, due to idling diesel engines and poor air flow and ventilation.</p><p>Following
these findings, and given the importance of the issue, the Department is now funding
a new £4.5 million air quality monitoring network. This will be rolled out over the
next three years, with air quality monitors installed in around 100 stations across
England and Wales. Once established, the network will help the rail industry identify
priority locations where air quality improvement measures are required. Responsible
organisations will be required to produce air quality improvement plans with the aim
that levels of air pollutants meet the targets we will set for PM2.5, PM10 and NO2.</p><p>In
addition, we are funding research using personal air quality monitoring equipment
to assess railway staff exposure at a range of rail locations. This will help improve
our understanding of occupational exposure to air pollutants.</p><p>We welcome the
work that the Rail Delivery Group is doing in collaboration with industry to develop
and rollout an idling limit in some places known to have air quality issues. The Government
believes that, as an interim measure, idling should be reduced across the railway
to quickly minimise rail’s impact on air pollution.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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