By Nigel Hollett
Director
CLA Cymru
“The Welsh Government should review how proposals in its Clean Air Action Plan impact on rural communities,” says Nigel Hollett, Director CLA Cymru.
“The newly launched Plan should take on board the vital work done in the countryside and should not disproportionately penalise rural communities.”
“Everybody supports clean air for all the healthy benefits it brings,” Nigel adds. “A breath of fresh country air is one of the qualities most valued by rural people – and many earn their living in the amenity and tourist industry enabling others to enjoy it too.” He explains, “But Wales’ rural communities should not bear a disproportionate burden of new regulations in the Plan.”
“This is a critical time for the rural economy,” Nigel adds. “Through the Sustainable Farming and our Land scheme the Government is in the process of assessing the massive value of the work-done by farmers and land managers in delivering a range of public goods – including important contributions to air quality – and ascribing an economic value to them. This is vital work: Welsh farming must be economically, environmentally and socially sustainable. This work will redefine the future of Welsh farming, and also play a huge part in bridging the urban-rural divide.”
“Equally, lessons-learnt in home-working during the Covid 19 lockdown point to fresh opportunities for the rural economy. Progress here will be a win-win-win for the environment, the economy and for families living in the country – or for those people who might wish to set up a business where operating-remotely is now not only mainstream but cost-effective.”
Nigel Hollett continues, “Rural people do not have the benefits of public transport, many are off-grid in mains gas and essential water and sewage services. Electric charging points for vehicles are still a long way off yet. The high price of fuel for heating and vehicles is a strong incentive for common sense and even frugality. And rural people should not be discriminated against for the responsible use of sustainably grown, dry logs as a source of heating.”
“We should be looking at more ways in which rural resources can play a part in improving our environment: extending renewable energy, for example; installing sustainable drainage systems, managing water better and using grey-water where appropriate.”
Nigel continues, “Blanket-charges for road-use will discriminate against rural communities where incomes are often very modest. Many rural people already suffer from poor road-quality. The Welsh Government itself conceded the long distances rural people travel for essentials in the Covid 19 travel restrictions.
“Universal consensus exists in the value of Clean Air and there is universal support for action. Let’s work together to ensure the whole Welsh community is involved and benefits.”
