Agenda item

The Committee considered the report of the Corporate Director, Neighbourhood Services which provided Members with an update on the development of the Air Quality Action Plan for Durham City (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

Members received a presentation from the Pollution Control Manager and Senior Air Quality Officer which provided Members with an update on the progress and current position on the Durham City Air Quality Action Plan; recent changes to the Local Air Quality Management Regime; the Draft Air Quality Action Plan v Air Quality Action Plan; Public Consultation Outcome; Amendments to the Draft Air Quality Action Plan and Plan for Implementation (for copy of slides, see file of minutes).

Members were advised that the Council had consulted on the draft Air Quality Action Plan during 2015.  The outcome of the consultation and the amended Air Quality Action Plan with additional actions had been reported to and approved by Cabinet in June 2016.

An Implementation Plan would be approved by the Air Quality Corporate Steering Group which would include progress on the implementation of the actions to comply with targets and monitoring of nitrogen dioxide concentrations across Durham City and also sets out key lines of communication.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has issued guidance which provides: streamlined reporting requirements to reduce the reporting burden and help local authorities focus resources on taking action.  A new Annual Status Report (ASR) summarises local situations and progress on the action measures together with a technical section that provides more detailed information on modelling/monitoring of key pollutants and for removal for local authorities to report on four historic pollutants which are now under control and fast track AQMAs.

Durham County Council has a plan in place for all departments of the council to work together to address air quality in the area.

Councillor Kay asked about PM2.5s and sought clarification as to whether these were fine particles of pollutant. The Pollution Control Manager confirmed this to be the case and that they were particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less. Councillor Kay then referred to cycle routes in Durham City being very narrow and how did the plan propose to get cyclists across the City as this could not currently be done safely.

Officers responded that there was nothing specific contained in the Air Quality Action Plan and that the proposals for the expansion of the cycling infrastructure would be contained in the Sustainable Transport Policy. The action measure covering the provision of cycle ways is not the responsibility of the Pollution Control Team but officers would feed this back to the team that is responsible for the implementation of this action.

The Chairman explained that the committee had received information on cycle routes at the last meeting and referred to the recent site visit by the Committee to various cycle routes in the County.

Councillor May referred to the Council trying to get investment into the City but how the Council were also trying to improve the air quality but investment would bring more traffic into the City and suggested that the geography of the city means that there are a restricted number of alternative routes through the city.

Officers responded that they had a guidance document which gave clear guidelines to developers on the air quality impact and how they would need to come up with mitigation measures but recognised investment in the area was a priority. Development could be achieved in a sustainable way through travel plans to reduce impact.

Councillor Holland referred to the measuring of the air quality in the City but there was a lot of works currently going on which would portray an artificial position. People in the City were worried about the Western bypass and are the origin of the standards in the Air Quality Action Plan from Europe. Officers confirmed that the Plan was based on complying with European Standards but they did not anticipate any changes as air quality was a matter of public health and follow World Health Organisation guidelines. Reducing air pollution can also reduce the burden on the National Health Service.

Councillor Holland referred to the Clean Air Act 1956 which had made a difference and was introduced by the UK government and not the European Union.

Councillor Kellett referred to the number of taxis in the City who would sit with their engines running and queried if there were any regulations to limit this practice.

The Pollution Control Manger indicated that diesel cars and busses were the main sources of pollution but taxis themselves were not identified but the plan would be reviewed and this could be picked up going forward.

Councillor Clare referred to Action 1 (Synchronising the sequence of traffic lights on roundabouts through the centre of Durham City) and sought clarification why this action had not been supported.

Officers indicated that the effectiveness of this action was dependent on the interaction with other actions.

Councillor Freeman indicated that the problem was the amount of traffic through the City rather than the flow of traffic. If the bypass did not happen then look at the extension of the park and ride routes together with the provision of further sites.

Officers responded that the bypass was linked to the County Plan.

Resolved: (i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee receive a further update on the development of air quality management within County Durham.