Solihull’s air quality has received commendation for showing overall improvement, but concerns remain regarding a rise in deaths linked to air pollution. The borough’s long-term plan continues to focus on reducing harmful pollutants and enhancing air quality.
At a recent climate change and planning session, the council reviewed its annual air quality report. Amanda Clover, Solihull Council’s senior development officer for air quality, highlighted a positive downward trend in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels across the borough in 2025. “The data indicates encouraging progress in reducing this main pollutant,” she stated.
Despite this, a small number of monitoring sites have recorded slight increases in NO2 concentrations, a trend observed in 2024 and closely monitored in early 2026. The council is collaborating with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and local partners to identify effective strategies to meet air quality targets.
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Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, cabinet portfolio holder, described the overall results as “good news for the borough.” However, the report also revealed that 5.5 percent of all adult deaths in Solihull may be attributed to anthropogenic particulate air pollution—a slight increase from 5.4 percent the previous year, but still one of the lowest rates within the WMCA region.
Councillor Max McLoughlin expressed unease over the rising mortality rate associated with air pollution, noting it was higher than the wider West Midlands region and England, both at 5.3 percent. “We should not dismiss this increase simply because it is worse elsewhere,” he said, seeking further explanation.
Nick Laws, senior public health specialist at the council, responded that they are working with health colleagues to analyze respiratory health data. “Understanding the full implications takes time, but we aim to clarify the situation over the next six months,” he assured.
The cabinet portfolio holder formally endorsed and signed off on the air quality report at the meeting on July 22, reaffirming the council’s commitment to addressing air pollution and its health impacts.