Getting There Greener: EMR improves Sheffield station air quality with taxi rank ventilation upgrade

East Midlands Railway (EMR) has announced improvements in air quality at Sheffield station, thanks to recent ventilation upgrades and ongoing environmental efforts aligned with its Getting There Greener strategy and Clean Air Improvement Plan.

The works, completed in partnership with Colt Construction Ltd, involved the installation of discreet roof vents to enhance the natural airflow above Sheffield station’s taxi rank and reduce harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels – helping to disperse emissions from vehicles and improve conditions in the enclosed space.

This key initiative complements Sheffield City Council’s Clean Air Zone and EMR’s no-idling policy for taxis – a targeted effort to address an area historically identified as a hotspot for poor air quality.

EMR took readings before and after the installation of the vents. The results showed a reduction of 35% in nitrogen dioxide emissions over the reference monitoring period.

EMR will continue to monitor air quality at Sheffield station, and further improvements are planned as additional measures from its Clean Air Improvement Plan are rolled out.

Philippa Cresswell, Customer Experience Director at East Midlands Railway, said: "We all want cleaner, healthier spaces – especially in places like stations, where lots of people come and go every day. These early results at Sheffield are really encouraging and its clear they are already having a positive impact.

“However, this is just one step in our wider strategy – Getting There Greener – which is focused on taking real, measurable steps to create healthier, more sustainable environments for passengers, staff, and the communities we serve.

"There’s more to come, and we’re excited to keep making progress on this important issue." 

For more information on EMR’s sustainability initiatives, visit: Getting There Greener