Published January 5, 2016 at 10:40
Rossendale Borough Council has won £485,000 from the Department of Transport for Rosso to equip 38 buses with new greener technology to cut harmful emissions.
To win the funding, we had to show that the technology would reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by at least 50%.
Outside of Transport for London (50), Rossendale received enough funding to convert the most busses in this scheme (38), this will be a real benefit for Rossendale communities in terms of air quality and modern public transport.
Speaking on the funding success Council Leader Cllr Alyson Barnes said; “We are delighted to receive this funding, it will go a long way to improving the air quality for Rossendale which has been a focus for the Council. This is a real boost to Rosso and their public transport offer of more environmentally sustainable travel.”
In total the scheme will see nearly 450 buses in England fitted with green technology to cut harmful emissions by up to 90%.
Lorna Robinson, Environmental Health Officer at Rossendale Borough Council said; “Air pollution is a major environmental risk to health. The lower the levels of air pollution, the better the cardiovascular and respiratory health of the population will be, both long- and short-term.”
The buses will be fitted with exhaust gas treatment systems called selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and will be back on the roads after their upgrade.
Phil Smith, Managing Director of Rosso said; “ The success of the Councils bid presents us with a fantastic opportunity to upgrade the euro engine ratings of a substantial number of vehicles so that lower levels of emissions can be achieved across the Company’s network of local bus services which serve numerous areas that are covered by Air Quality Management areas. This development will provide further evidence of the “green” credentials of bus travel.”
As part of the award requirements we will continue to monitor the scheme and provide evidence of their effectiveness.