Agenda item

(Presentation and audio recording refers)

The Service Lead: Public Protection and the Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Wellbeing gave a presentation updating Members on the progress that had been achieved on the Air Quality Action Plan to date. 

The presentation made reference to the history and background of the development of the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan ever since the initial management area declaration in 2003 up until the current Air Quality Action Plan which was adopted by the Council in 2017. The Committee noted the current trends, levels of compliance, standards, processes and risks and were advised that the Council do not currently monitor for PM2.5. However, it was reported that a particulate monitor had recently been purchased which would be located in the St George’s Street site shortly. 

The Committee’s attention was drawn to the expected air quality management area in 2020 and 2021 which were based on the current air quality standards and did not take account of any changes to mandatory objectives that could be introduced by the Government going forward.

It was noted that the report setting out recommendations for the Action Quality Action Plan update would be considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 22 January 2020.

One member of the public representing a local group addressed the Committee as summarised below.

Chris Gilham (on behalf of Winchester Friends of the Earth)

·         Air Quality Action Plan – concerned to see the proposed reduction of the Air Quality Management area.

·         Time we got passed the nitrogen dioxide legal limits set by the EU as the main issue with air pollution is particulates and this needs to be solved.

·         There was a previous suggestion that the Air Quality Management Area should be extended and particulate measurements were only legal as the threshold was set highly.

·         Air pollution needs to be taken more seriously

·         Reducing traffic was the central problem that needed to be a priority. However, he considered that additional park and ride provision would not reduce central parking or traffic congestion, but a reduction in City Centre parking would have a positive impact.

·         He stated that in order to support bus service alternatives, there was a need to transfer subsidy from motoring to public transport which could be achieved via workplace levies and car parking charges.

Members raised questions or commented regarding the following points which were addressed by the Cabinet Member and relevant officers accordingly:

·         The need to declare the reduction of the air quality monitoring area at this stage, ahead of the monitoring of fine particulates.

·         The fine particulates produced by wood burning stoves

·         When will the monitoring take place for the PM2.5

·         Future use of the diffusion tubes as a result of the reduction of the monitoring area

·         Collection of air quality data outside of the town centre area

·         Current trends on AQMA with the high level of particulates to certain areas i.e. Romsey Road

·         Monitoring pollution levels of traffic coming into Winchester from the M3 – Air Quality studies would be carried out as a result of the proposed changes to Junction 9

RESOLVED:

            1.         That the content of the presentation be received and the        comments of the Committee set out above be noted