The above report is on the Cabinet Forward Decision List for 31 March 2015 and has been identified by the Chairman for consideration by the Panel.
The Panel are requested to consider the report and make any appropriate recommendations to Cabinet.
Minutes:
The Environmental Health Manager (Environment) presented the Cabinet report which highlighted the work which had been completed in drawing up an Air Quality Action Plan and the mechanisms used to consult with the public and stakeholders on the proposed air quality reduction measures.
The Environmental Health Manager (Environment) reminded those present that they had received in 2014 prior to the plan going out for public consultation. The Cabinet report included the results of the consultation and presented the final version of the Air Quality Action Plan for adoption.
The Panel was informed that DEFRA provided guidelines on what should be included in an Air Quality Action Plan and these guidelines had been followed by the Council.
The Environmental Health Manager explained that an Air Quality Steering Group had been set up by the Council with the Portfolio Holder for Environment in the Chair. The Group had produced the draft Air Quality Action Plan and had co-ordinated the consultation exercise which had included information published on the website, online surveys and drop in sessions. A report detailing the consultation responses was included in the report at Appendix 1.
DEFRA had also considered the draft Air Quality Action Plan and were supportive. DEFRA’s report was available on the Borough Council’s website.
Following the consultation exercise the Air Quality Steering Group had met to consider responses and formulate 20 measures which had been included in the Air Quality Action Plan – Non-technical Summary.
The Environmental Health Manager referred to the Policy Implications as set out in the report and explained that the Air Quality Action Plan would be used to implement measures designed to, in combination, reduce the levels of NO2 to levels below the National Air Quality Objective and eventually lead to the revocation of both Air Quality Management Areas within King’s Lynn.
The Environmental Health Manager reminded the Panel that it was a legal requirement for the Borough Council to complete, adopt and implement an Air Quality Action Plan.
The Environmental Health Manager drew the Panels attention to page 19 of the agenda which was a chart showing the results of the consultation exercise.
The Chairman thanked the Environmental Health Manager (Environment) for his report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, some of which are summarised below.
Councillor Crofts referred to Air Quality Policy Action 5 which was to consider, with Norfolk County Council, if taxis and private hire vehicles could use the ‘bus only’ lane from Wisbech Road through to the Friars and Boal Street. He felt that this was a good idea as it would divert some traffic away from London Road and should definitely be progressed. The Environmental Health Manager explained that a local bicycle user group had raised concerns on this issue in that there would be additional traffic on the bus route. Comments had also been received from residents and the nearby school.
Councillor Baron Chenery of Horsbrugh felt that more consideration should be given to encouraging people to visit King’s Lynn by rail from Downham Market and Watlington. The Environmental Health Manager explained that options to utilise the old Sand Line had been investigated for possible use as a ‘Park and Rail’ facility but was not feasible. The Environmental Health Manager referred to Air Quality Policy Action 6 which was to look at ways that public transport could be made more attractive.
Councillor Bubb referred to ‘Park and Ride’ schemes. He was aware that this had been looked at in the past but had not been feasible. He asked if it was worth looking at it again. The Environmental Health Manager explained that options for ‘Park and Ride’ had been looked at but was very expensive to set up and there would have to be an incentive for customers, for example not having to then sit in traffic on a bus to come into town. Improvement measures such as installation of the variable messaging system to direct vehicle users to available car parking spaces had already been implemented and would hopefully have an impact on air quality as drivers would not have to drive round searching for spaces.
In response to a question from Councillor Mrs Leamon, the Environmental Health Manager explained that various policy actions within the plan addressed car parking issues and any implemented actions would be monitored in terms of air quality. The Environmental Health Manager confirmed that any new developments would be subject to Air Quality Impact Assessments as part of the planning application process.
In response to a further question from Councillor Mrs Leamon, the Environmental Health Manager confirmed that there were two Air Quality Monitoring Stations in the Borough, one at London Road, King’s Lynn and one near Gaywood Clock. There were also 66 diffusion tubes across the Borough which were used to monitor and compare sites and could be used to look at the cumulative impact.
The Environmental Health manager explained that patterns and trends could be identified through the monitoring process, for example an increase in pollutants during rush hour, and different levels on each side of the road depending on the direction of travel.
In response to a question from the Vice Chairman the Environmental Health Manager explained that monitoring was carried out in residential areas, or in areas where people were likely to congregate for a period of time, for example the bus station. In response to a question from the Vice Chairman regarding the Hardwick Retail Park, the Executive Director explained that it was private land, so issues with queues in the car park would need to be addressed by the land owner.
Councillor Moriarty asked for clarification on what would happen if the Air Quality Action Plan was adopted by the Council in terms of ongoing monitoring. The Environmental Health Manager explained that the Air Quality Steering Group would look at all data available and where levels were the highest. They would then look at available resources to take forward individual measures. This could require further consultation with specific user groups and Norfolk County Council Highways. The Environmental Health Manager reminded those present that an update report was presented to Cabinet on an annual basis and the Regeneration, Environment and Community Panel would also have the opportunity to consider the update report.
The Executive Director reminded the Panel that some of the measures contained within the action plan were in the process of being implemented, for example the variable messaging system and improvements to the bus station.
Councillor Moriarty asked if there was the scope to involve outside people in the Air Quality Steering Group. The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Councillor Long explained that the Steering Group was made up of officers, but going forward the relevant people and organisations could become involved in specific consultation exercises, they would not, however, become formal members of the Steering Group. The Executive Director reminded those present that Norfolk County Council Highways would also carry out an extensive consultation exercise if traffic management proposals were put forward.
Councillor Loveless addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34. He referred to the increase in vehicles using the roads and asked what could be done to discourage car use and provide alternative ways to travel. Councillor Loveless felt that the report addressed problems with pollution at a certain level, but asked what about the spread generally across the areas. The Environmental Health Manager explained that general background pollutant levels were decreasing and he felt that this was due to the decrease in coal burning gas stations, an increase in ‘green’ energy and improvements to vehicle technology. The Environmental Health Manger explained that there had been a downward trend in background pollutants over the past decade and in King’s Lynn 2014 had been the lowest year recorded. More details of this would be included in the Annual Report.
Councillor Loveless asked if he would have the opportunity to make further comments on the prioritising of the actions points and the Environmental Health Manager explained that once the specific actions were being looked at, it was likely that further consultation would be carried out.
RESOLVED: (i) That the Regeneration, Environment and Community Panel support the recommendations to Cabinet as follows:
That Cabinet adopt the Air Quality Action Plan.
(ii) The Panel noted that several of the initiatives were already in place.