Agenda item

Air Quality Management in County Durham

(a)  Report of the Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services

(b)  Presentation by Denyse Holman, Pollution Control Manager, Adult and Health Services

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services that provided Members with details of progress on all air quality management work in County Durham (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

 

Members received a presentation from the Pollution Control Manager and the Senior Air Quality Officer that provided Members with an update on the various air quality projects that had been on going across the County during the last 12 months (for copy of presentation, see file of minutes).

 

Mr Bolton indicated that the continuous monitoring results for Hawthorne Terrace in Durham City were interesting and that the levels were higher when there were queues of traffic and was this queuing traffic the fundamental issue.

 

Officers responded that the queuing of traffic was a major factor but other factors were gradient, houses near to the road and that if houses were set further back from the road then levels would not be so much of an issue.

 

Mr Kinch commented that the A1 had been closed in Teesdale and traffic including large lorries had been diverted through Barnard Castle and smaller surrounding villages for over a year and wondered whether any monitoring of emission levels had been undertaken during that period. The Pollution Control Manager responded that monitoring had taken place in Barnard Castle some years ago but not recently. The Highways Agency is one of the partners who are invited to attend the Air Quality Technical Working Group however they do not attend on a regular basis and have not attended for some time.

 

The Chairman asked if large lorries diverted through Barnard Castle and small villages for a year would have an impact on the air quality. Officers advised that it would depend on how long the diversion was in place but extensive monitoring had been carried out at Barnard Castle some time ago and no problems had been identified.

 

Mr Kinch continued that if more maintenance work is planned on the A1 then Durham County Council needs to be informed so that arrangements can be made to monitor the emission levels in those areas where traffic is being diverted to. The Pollution Control Manager confirmed that she would take these concerns back to the Highways Agency.

 

Councillor Brown referred to the air quality samples currently being taken at Nevilles Cross which were not showing high emission levels but one of the monitors is set in George Street away from the road. However children walk to school on the pavement next to the traffic where emission levels will be higher. Another monitor had been placed in a cul-de-sac and the third monitor had been vandalised. In addition would the SCOOT system include the traffic lights at Nevilles Cross. Officers responded that tubes had been placed in the Nevilles Cross area. The readings from the samples taken from the house exceeded the stated air quality levels 3 years ago but readings from the last 2 years were acceptable levels. The levels taken next to the road were high but did not breach legislation. The officer responded that she would check whether the SCOOT system would include the traffic lights at Nevilles Cross and respond to the member.

 

The Chairman indicated that the committee was concerned about people’s health in County Durham and that was why regular progress updates on air quality management is included in the work programme and that the committee would continue to monitor progress in reducing emission levels particularly as people are being encouraged to take up cycling for health reasons.

 

Councillor Martin referred to the air quality levels at Chester-le-Street Menceforth Cottages and asked what the reason for the high levels of emissions was and was the centre of Chester-le-Street being monitored as he would have expected levels to be higher in the centre as traffic is often stationary and queuing.

 

Officers responded that a consultant had to try and find out the reasons for the high levels but he was also unsure of the reasons. The officers continued that the cottages are on a bus route, they are in a valley with a viaduct above. Members were advised that the centre of Chester-le-Street was also being monitored.

 

Members discussed the impact of standing traffic on air quality in particular in the Chester-le-Street area and around Menceforth cottages. The Pollution Control Manager commented that it is difficult to come up with an action plan if not sure what is causing the high levels of emissions.

 

Councillor Sexton commented that it is a major traffic route with a high volume of vehicles using that route to get to the motorway across the town centre.

 

Councillor Jopling indicated that she was surprised that emission levels had not been reduced due to the introduction of electric and hybrid cars. The Officer responded that 2016 was a high pollution year as weather can effect readings and that monitoring needed to continue for a longer period of time to see if there was a reduction in levels.

 

Councillor Patterson asked what consultation was being carried out in relation to Menceforth Cottages with local residents and that the committee be informed of progress made in relation to air quality in Durham City and the consultation to be undertaken in relation to Menceforth Cottages.

 

Members were advised that in relation to the management of air quality in Durham City an extensive consultation exercise was carried out in 2015 in relation to the action plan. Concerning Menceforth Cottages a further six months of monitoring would be undertaken and then a consultation exercise would be undertaken depending upon whether an action plan is to be produced or revocation.

 

The Chairman asked for details of the go smart to work initiatives in particular the feedback and type of responses received. Members were advised that this information would be provided by the Transport Team and that the information would be obtained for the Chair.

 

Councillor Martin referred to the improvement in bus engines and asked if this was something that had been done by the bus companies. Members were advised that it was led by the bus companies.

 

Councillor Clare referred to the current process of air quality management in County Durham and that the Pollution Control Manager and her team were responsible for the implementation of air quality monitoring, measuring air quality, determining if an action plan was necessary and producing the plan however the delivery of the plan was in the hands of Various Durham County Council Service Groupings and partners. Cllr Clare continued by asking how much power did the authority have to ensure that the action plan is delivered.

 

Officers responded that these issues were recognised nationally by the government. They did have an implementation plan and a corporate steering group where issues could be raised with the relevant Durham County Council officers and partners.

 

Councillor Clare responded that it was all based on the strengths of partnership working and the committee needed to know how successful this was. In addition, it was suggested that relevant Durham County Council colleagues and partners responsible for the delivery of the actions in the implementation plan be invited to attend the committee when it is receiving a report detailing further progress.

 

The Pollution Control Officer advised that they would feed the comments made by members back to the Air Quality Corporate Steering Group.

 

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer suggested that a copy of the air quality implementation plan together with detail of the progress made against the identified actions is circulated to members of the committee.

 

Resolved: (i) That the contents of the report be noted.

 

(ii) That the Committee receive a further report detailing progress on the development of air quality management within County Durham.

 

(iii) That a copy of the air quality implementation plan together with detail of the progress made to date against the identified actions is circulated to members of the committee and that relevant Durham County Council officers and partners are invited to the future meeting of the committee when detail of progress will be provided.

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