Research and Reports

Draft plans to improve air quality in the UK: tackling nitrogen dioxide in our towns and cities

The UK still exceeds agreed NO2 limits in various areas of the country - and this DEFRA report says that while “emissions from the rail sector are relatively low, the UK is committed to reducing them even further.” This is to be achieved through electrification, bi-mode Intercity Express Programme trains, and the Future Rail scheme’s support of “innovation projects to reduce rail’s carbon footprint that will also provide benefits for air quality.” Among these are the battery powered train tested earlier in 2015 with the technology holding “the prospect of extending the range of electric trains so that they can run on non-electrified lines and potentially replace conventional diesel trains.” While some 80% of NOx emissions in areas where the UK is exceeding agreed NO2 limits come from transport, most of it is from diesel cars and vans.