Birmingham City Council’s Member for Transport and Environment is on a journey to COP26 where he will talk at an Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation event about air pollution and take a trip on the UK’s first hydrogen train, developed by Birmingham University.
Councillor Waseem Zaffar said:
“I am excited to have the opportunity to visit Glasgow for COP26 and talk about the innovative work that Birmingham City Council is doing to tackle the climate emergency. Through our Route to Zero programme and the Birmingham Transport Plan we have set out ambitious plans that will transform our city for the better, reducing emissions, improving public transport and lowering the congestion that blights our city’s roads.
“I welcome the progress made at COP26, and I hope that our Government will support local authorities as we make the transition to a green economy in the coming years.”
7:15 Cllr Zaffar mounted a train at Birmingham New Street Station
12:15 – 14:00 Councillor Zaffar experiences the UK’s first hydrogen train and joins panel discussion
18 people will board the UK’s first hydrogen train in Glasgow for a ride before partaking in a panel discussion about innovative technology at the University of Birmingham round table, chaired by Lord Bilimoria, the Chancellor of the University of Birmingham and President of the CBI. A delegation from Serbia will be considering the hydrogen train for their railway.
16:00 – 17:30 Councillor Zaffar talks at the Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation
Councillor Zaffar will visit Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation (AUK-BLF) and will talk about the impact of poor air quality on our health and the importance of protecting our lungs and the lungs of the Earth. He will explain how the Birmingham Transport Plan has already begun to achieve this with car-free school streets, places for people and city centre segments, as part of Birmingham’s integrated transport plan, which works for everyone.
