Doncaster has highest level of traffic in South Yorkshire for nearly 30 years

Doncaster has consistently had the highest level of vehicle use in South Yorkshire for almost three decades and has the oldest and most polluting buses, a new report has revealed.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The recently published Environment and Sustainability Strategy 2020-2030 shows vehicle traffic has increased by 67 per cent since 1993 with a recent 16 per cent increase between 2014 and 2019.

The report also links to air pollution and outlines eight areas in the borough that have dangerous levels of nitrogen dioxide as a result from vehicle emissions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
A new report has been released about the environment and sustainability across DoncasterA new report has been released about the environment and sustainability across Doncaster
A new report has been released about the environment and sustainability across Doncaster

The strategy outlines a number of statistics which reveals that there were 160 deaths linked to air pollution in Doncaster in 2010 – this fell to 148 in 2018.

On buses, the report says that the borough has the oldest and highest polluting fleet in the county.

The council says there needs to be ‘continued support’ for the private bus companies in their transition to a greener fleet.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But despite having the highest vehicle use in South Yorkshire, Doncaster had the second largest increase in registrations for electric vehicles at 489 per cent behind only Birmingham. There were 55 electric vehicles registered in 2018 compared to 324 in 2019.

This follows shortly on from the recommendations of a Climate and Biodiversity Commission led Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband, which were presented in December 2020.

The commission’s final report drew upon the expertise of various public and private sector organisations, government agencies and resident representatives to discuss a range of environmental priority areas.

Cabinet member for the environment, Coun Chris McGuinness, said: “It is widely acknowledged that the climate change and biodiversity emergency is a global issue, but also a local issue.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Therefore the Environment and Sustainability strategy is the first step in identifying and communicating the scale and breadth of the challenge faced and encouraging a partnership approach to our collective response.

“Doncaster needs to demonstrate how it intends to play its part in the national effort to combat this emergency, as well as respond to the local environmental issues that Doncaster is currently faced with and will likely face in the future.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.