Railway Stations: Nitrogen Dioxide
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the total projected cost to the public purse is for Network Rail to develop and deliver Air Quality Improvement Plans (AQIPs) across all managed stations with nitrogen dioxide levels of 40µg/m³ or more by 2030; and what budget has been allocated for structural or engineering interventions, such as air purifying technologies, at those stations.
Answered by Keir Mather
The development and delivery of Air Quality Improvement Plans (AQIPs) across Network Rail’s managed stations cannot be assigned a single total projected cost to 2030. This is because the measures required vary significantly by location and over time. Stations with nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels only slightly above the 40 µg/m³ improvement indicator may require relatively low-cost actions, such as anti-idling campaigns or driver briefings. In contrast, stations with higher levels may require more complex long-term solutions, including ventilation upgrades or air cleaning technologies.
In addition, the number of stations requiring AQIPs is not fixed. Some stations may improve and therefore no longer require an AQIP, while others may be newly identified where exceedances occur. This variability makes it difficult to accurately forecast overall programme costs.
No central or national budget has been allocated specifically for AQIP delivery or associated engineering measures. While individual AQIPs may include estimated costs for proposed actions, funding approval and delivery are managed at a local level.
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