MOT tests and roadside air quality

Early day motion 1522, tabled 22 February 2021 by Barry Sheerman (Labour/Co-operative). Signed by 8 members.

That this House recognises the challenge to public health caused by roadside air pollution, in particular, fine and ultra-fine combustion generated particles; urges the Government to look to how other countries mitigate harmful levels of air pollution that are prevalent on roads and highways for example the current Roadworthiness Directive 2014/45/EU and to be guided by effective, evidence-based policies; further recognises that the current MOT tests do not identify vehicles which emit dangerous particulate emissions levels and lack the appropriate sensing technology for harmful levels of fine and ultra-fine particulate matter; further urges to the Government to take steps to enshrine principles of minimising roadside air quality into MOT tests by introducing improved sensing technology which would identify high-emitting vehicles; urges the Department of Transport to take steps to introduce an efficiency element in the diesel particulate matter section of the MOT based on particulate mass or number metrics; and supports the work of the Dutch Government and the Dutch Parliament in incorporating IENW/BSK-2020/125046 into vehicles’ Period Technical Inspection tests by law.

Signatures by party: Labour 3, Independent 2, Labour/Co-operative 2, DUP 1.