Agenda item

To consider the report of the head of housing and environment (attached).

The committee considered the report of the head of housing and environment which updated the committee on progress made on the council’s Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) adopted in 2015.

Councillor Elaine Ware, Cabinet member for housing and environment, introduced the report.  Also present to answer questions were Liz Hayden, head of housing and environment, Ian Matten, environmental services manager, Shaun Berry, environmental protection team leader, and Jason Sherwood, Oxfordshire County Council.

The committee was informed that the AQAP set out the actions proposed or taken to combat and mitigate air quality issues within the district.  The document proposed how the council will work with other authorities and organisations that have the power to make the necessary changes to tackle the air quality problems, specifically within the Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) but also across the district.

As a largely rural district, with several market towns and villages, the air quality throughout the district was generally very good.  There were, however, air pollution hotspots where nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) associated with traffic emissions was higher and where it had been necessary to declare AQMAs.

These areas are typically where houses are close to busy roads and pollution can be worsened by problems with congestion.  There were three AQMA’s in the district all declared because NO₂ levels were either predicted to or were exceeding national objectives.  These were in Abingdon, Botley and Marcham.

Levels recorded during 2017/18 demonstrated that there had been a reduction in NO₂ levels in all three AQMAs. Whilst in Botley and Marcham, NO₂ levels. Still exceeded national objectives, in Abingdon the reduction in NO₂ levels had been significant, taking it below national objectives. Air quality in Abingdon would continue to be monitored and, subject to levels recorded, consideration would be given to revising or revoking the AQMA.

With regard to improving air quality in the AQMAs and elsewhere, the committee noted the measures set out in the action plan and the fact that many of these were dependent upon technological advancements, additional funding or were the responsibility of other bodies. The committee was informed that, in order to maximise staff resources, a team of officers would be responsible for air quality issues rather than it being the role of a designated officer.

The committee noted the success of the Abingdon AQMA and, with regard to the proposed Oxfordshire wide anti-idling strategy set out in the AQAP, asked officers to request taxi drivers not to leave their engines running whilst waiting on ranks.

Members expressed concern about the possibility of the proposed Oxford to Cambridge expressway generating additional traffic on the A34 at Botley, so further reducing air quality.

RESOLVED: to

1.     Note the report and the progress made on the council’s Air Quality Action Plan and, in particular, to recognise the significant improvements to traffic management in Abingdon through the Abingdon Integrated Transport Strategy, implemented in 2007, which has subsequently resulted in a reduction in NO₂ levels.

2.     Request the Cabinet member for housing and environment to write to the Secretary of State for Transport to express concern about the possibility of the proposed Oxford to Cambridge expressway generating additional traffic on the A34 at Botley, so further reducing air quality.