Air quality

Sandwell's Air Quality Action Plan 2025-2030

Public Consultation Survey

Sandwell Council has a statutory duty to produce an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) under the Local Air Quality Management framework. In August and September 2025, residents, businesses, schools, community groups, visitors, and statutory bodies were invited to share their views on the Draft AQAP for 2025–2030. The draft plan set out 21 key measures designed to protect the health of people living and working in Sandwell by identifying local sources of air pollution and outlining practical steps to reduce emissions from these sources.

The three main priorities within the Draft AQAP were:

  • Promoting walking and cycling
  • Supporting cleaner, safer travel to and near schools
  • Lowering speed limits on certain roads

Consultation Survey Results

We received 220 responses (172 general, 48 schools), details of the results of this consulation can be found in our AQAP 2025-2030 Consultation Survey Report which is now available to download.  

Key findings from the consultation were as follows:

  • Perceptions: Most respondents rated local air quality as poor, though awareness was limited.

  • Priorities: Over 70% agreed air quality should be a top priority.

  • Support: Strong backing for active travel, School Streets, education initiatives, and partnerships with health professionals.

  • Concerns: Practical issues around accessibility and enforcement of School Streets, and cycling/walking infrastructure gaps were raised. Speed limit reductions also received mixed views.

  • Equality: No major adverse impacts identified, but ongoing monitoring and inclusive implementation will be required.

Overall, feedback was positive, with emphasis on clear communication, fairness, and stronger infrastructure to support behaviour change.

Amendments to the Final AQAP

Following consultation, Sandwell's Draft AQAP 2025-2030 was updated to reflect feedback from residents, schools, charities, and statutory bodies. Although the 21 measures and top 3 priorities have been retained, a number of amendments have made and these include:

  • Adding World Health Organisation (WHO) interim air quality targets alongside UK legal limits
  • Integrating health impact modelling and local health data
  • Improving public access to live air quality data via the WMCA dashboard
  • Committing to anti-idling campaigns near schools
  • Strengthening education initiatives (e.g., Auntie Duck programme)
  • Pledging inclusive implementation and equity considerations
  • Planning measurable milestones for School Streets and active travel initiatives

Sandwell MBC's Air Quality Action Plan 2025–2030 was formally adopted by Cabinet in December 2025 and is now available to download.

Previous Air Quality Action Plans 

Sandwell Council's previous AQAPs can be accessed by clicking on the links below:

Want to help reduce local air pollution? Here’s how:

Walk or cycle instead of driving
Could you swap a couple of car journeys each week for walking or cycling? It’s great for your health, saves money, and cuts pollution.
Find out more about Active Travel on Healthy Sandwell.

Share your ride
Fed up with traffic? Join Liftshare and travel with others going the same way. It reduces congestion, stress, and emissions.

Plan car-free journeys
Check out TravelWise Sandwell for public transport, cycling, and walking routes.

Think twice about wood burners
Wood-burning stoves create harmful indoor and outdoor pollution. If you already have one, remember Sandwell is a Smoke Control Area. This means you can burn only approved fuels and you must not create visible smoke.
Learn more on our Smoke Control Area page.

Skip the bonfire
Bonfires cause serious air pollution and harm people with conditions like asthma or COPD. Use council garden waste collections or make an appointment to take your waste to Shidas Lane Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Explore composting options with GetComposting.

Report repeated bonfires
If they happen often, let us know as we can take action.

Join the movement
Groups like Mums for Lungs campaign for cleaner air. Anyone can join!
Find out more.

Be a Resilient Resident
Discover simple ways to go green, improve your health, and save money.
Visit the Resilient Residents page.

Plant trees
Trees help clean the air. The Woodland Trust offers advice and projects you can join.

Go green at home
Switch to energy-efficient bulbs and appliances, improve insulation, and consider a low-NOx boiler.
Check if you’re eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Choose renewable energy
The Good With Money guide lists the top UK green energy suppliers—support clean energy and cut your carbon footprint.

Businesses: install EV chargers
Apply for the Government’s Workplace Charging Scheme for help with costs.

Share your travel experiences
Join the Walk and Cycle Sandwell Facebook page to give feedback and help improve routes.