Business News
Coalition needed to tackle pollution
A coalition to lead the way in tackling air pollution responsible for hundreds of premature deaths every year is needed in the West Midlands, the region’s mayor has said. Mayor Andy Street was speaking
after a Birmingham City Council proposal for a clean air zone in the city centre was announced this week. The scheme is still to be debated
by the council but, if passed, would see the most polluting vehicles charged to enter the zone.
‘We need a ‘Clean Air Revolution’ to tackle this issue’
Mr Street said the West Midlands
Combined Authority (WMCA) and the wider region had its own part to play in tackling the problem. He said: “Air quality is a public
health crisis which needs urgent action here in the West Midlands. “1,600 premature deaths each
year in the West Midlands are caused by air pollution. It’s sadly true that some of our roads have higher levels of pollution than bus
depots in the region. “We need a ‘Clean Air Revolution’
to tackle this issue head-on. We have the opportunity to build a coalition of Government, councils, industry, universities and residents to lead the clean air agenda in the West Midlands, the UK and the world. “Birmingham City Council has
taken the bold step of proposing a Clean Air Zone for the city, and residents and other groups have the opportunity to make their views known in the next few weeks on how we tackle the air quality challenge in Birmingham.” The mayor said the WMCA and
the wider region would by aiming to introduce leaner bus engine technology and encourage people on to public transport, and also support the development of clean electric vehicles. Mr Street also wants to encourage more people to cycle and walk. He said: “Air quality and pollution
affect us all. We all have a part to play in overcoming this challenge and I will work with Birmingham City Council and the rest of the region to tackle the issue.”
Seeking diversity: Andy Street and Anita Bhalla launch the report at Great Barr Academy with pupils Tisha Sharma, Reece Rogers and Mashara Powell
Lack of diversity could harm region
The lack of diversity at the very top of major companies and public bodies risks damaging the region’s economy and wider society, claims West Midlands mayor Andy Street. He said the leadership of private and public sector organisations
needed to better reflect the diverse nature of the West Midlands so that talent and important perspectives were not sidelined or ignored. The mayor urged organisations to embrace a series of
recommendations set out in a new study commissioned by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to look at ways to improve opportunities for people from under-represented parts of society. The mayor said: “It’s not acceptable that certain parts of society are
largely invisible when you look at the leadership of our major institutions and companies. “The diversity of our region is one of our greatest assets but this
lack of representation at leadership level can lead to a sense of alienation amongst certain groups and a feeling that it is not possible to get to the top.”
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July/August 2018 CHAMBERLINK 25
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