CLIMATE campaigners welcomed the tabling of a new Bill on air and noise pollution in the Senedd today, saying that it could lead to a cleaner, healthier and greener Wales.

The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill was introduced by Climate Minister Julie James, who said: “The air we breathe and the sounds carried on it affect our health and wellbeing every minute of every day, even when we are asleep.

“The World Health Organisation has described air pollution as the world’s largest single environmental health risk and noise pollution as the second.”

Wales is the first part of the UK to include soundscapes in legislation.

“The Bill places a duty on Welsh ministers to publish a national strategy for soundscapes every five years,” Ms James said.

Healthy Air Cymru chairman Joseph Carter said: “We should be able to walk down the street knowing the air we breathe is safe and healthy.

“The Bill is the crucial next step in making this happen.”

Cardiff resident Paula Dunster said: “We walk or cycle our kids to school to reduce our impact on the air we breathe.

“I am hoping this Bill will help promote safe active travel, so we are less reliant on cars.”

Friends of the Earth Cymru director Haf Elgar said: “We’ve long campaigned for legislation to clean up our air and introducing this Bill to the Senedd is a big step forward.”

The legislation will help create low-emission zones on Welsh government trunk roads and will give local authorities greater power to tackle vehicle idling outside schools.

The minister told the Morning Star that the Bill would enable local councils to reduce ambient noise from construction projects and other noisy industrial activity.