Coronavirus crisis has had ‘notable positive’ impact on air quality - but may put people off from using public transport

At a meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority being held remotely next Thursday, members will look at different ways the Coronavirus crisis has impacted on the local area.

All reports to the Combined Authority now include a section on the possible impact of decisions being made on the environment.

The report to the Authority discussing Covid - 19 says that much fewer people are now travelling by car due to the lockdown - leading to a reduction in air pollution.

Coronavirus pandemic is 'economic emergency' for West Yorkshire as well as health crisis

However it also points out that people may, in future, have greater concerns about mixing with other travellers - and this could put people off public transport in the future, leading to more people using cars.

Increased public transport use is seen as a key way of improving air quality in West Yorkshire over the coming years.

The report says: “The reduction in travel by people has had a notable positive impact on air quality and carbon emissions, particularly in urban areas.

“However, the longer term impact on people’s willingness to use public transport, and consequential impact on the challenges of modal shift, is still to be determined.”