Climate crisis: Drivers planning to walk more, in effort to maintain cleaner air after lockdown, survey indicates

Active travel such as walking and cycling could have ‘significant effect’ on reducing congestion and maintaining clean air, says AA president

Drivers are planning to walk more often when lockdown is lifted, an AA survey reveals (Getty)

Drivers in Britain are planning to make considerable changes to their habits in order to help maintain the higher air quality the UK has had under lockdown and protect the environment.

An enormous survey of 20,000 drivers by the AA reveals half of the British drivers polled say they are planning to walk more than they did previously, and 40 per cent say they will drive less in future.

The results of the survey come after numerous pieces of research have linked the deadly pandemic, which attacks the respiratory system, with air quality.

The lockdown measures implemented around the world have had a major impact on levels of dangerous pollutants in the air.

“We have all enjoyed the benefits of cleaner air during lockdown and it is gratifying that the vast majority of drivers want to do their bit to maintain the cleaner air,” AA president Edmund King said, according to the BBC.

“Walking and cycling more, coupled with less driving and more working from home, could have a significant effect on both reducing congestion and maintaining cleaner air.”

There is a “clear correlation” between air quality and levels of deaths from Covid-19, previous studies have found, with one indicating cleaner air in the UK led to an estimated 1,700 fewer deaths over a four-week period.

Research carried out by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) showed that during April there was a reduction of approximately 40 per cent in the average level of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution and a 10 per cent reduction in the average level of particulate matter pollution.

At the end of March, as the UK went into lockdown, the government published an ambitious plan for how it will revolutionise UK transport to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help fight the climate crisis.

The plans were described by campaigners as “unprecedented” and admitted the UK must act decisively to reduce its emissions, and instead of depending on cars to the extent we do now, indicated the government would aim to deliver policies making walking, cycling and public transport our main means of travel.

In his introduction to the report, transport minister Grant Shapps said: “Public transport and active travel will be the natural first choice for our daily activities. We will use our cars less and be able to rely on a convenient, cost-effective and coherent public transport network.”

The AA also warned drivers against taking unnecessary journeys over the Bank Holiday weekend.

“Drivers should think about how far they need to travel to enjoy the great outdoors,” Mr King said.