Meeting documents

To consider the attached report.

Contact Officer:  Lindsey Vallis (01296) 585152

A report was circulated to Members which provided an update on the current status of air quality in Aylesbury Vale. Progress was also supplied on the actions that had been taken in order to improve the three Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) within the Vale. It had been found through data monitoring from 2014 until 2016 that the AQMA on Friarage Road had improved significantly. This was attributed to improvements carried out on the road network on the Oakfield Road/Tring Road and King Edward Avenue/Tring Road junctions which had improved the flow of traffic as well as an increase in newer, cleaner vehicle numbers.

Aylesbury Vale monitored NO₂ levels at 27 sites across the District through passive diffusion tubes which were replaced monthly. Mainly used at residential sites, the tubes assessed whether or not a site had exceeded the annual objective of 40µg/m³. Appendix 2 contained the site locations of the tubes. The results from the passive monitoring had shown that the majority of Aylesbury Vale met national air quality objectives for NO₂, however the Stoke Road AQMA exceeded national objectives and so required automated continuous monitoring.

Automatic continuous monitoring was carried out outside Walton Parish Hall, close to the Walton Street AQMA, which provided hourly data to verify whether the 200µg/m³ hourly objective had been exceeded. The continuous monitoring results from 2015 to 2016 indicated there were no instances of exceedances in the annual mean for the pollutant and no hourly exceedances. These results meant that Stoke Road AQMA boundary did not need amending and that the monitoring site would be moved back into the boundary of the Stoke Road AQMA.

Detailed investigation had been undertaken in Buckingham in June 2017 to ascertain whether or not an AQMA would be declared. The assessment found that there was no annual exceedance of NO₂ exposure, however concentrations were close to air quality objectives of 40µg/m³. Diffusion tubes would continue to be utilised to monitor this trend.

It was highlighted that the upcoming VALP would have the potential opportunity to include air quality policies with the intention of encouraging developments to consider their impact on air quality. One such instance of this included electric vehicle charging infrastructure for commercial and residential developments. Aside from this, the future aim was to work with partners, notably Bucks CC, to formulate action plans and reduce pollution within the AQMAs. Investigations had already begun surrounding the revocation of the Tring Road AQMA by the end of 2017. The possibility of applying for Defra funding to promote a ‘No Idling’ publicity campaign was also being considered which would use current regulations to issue fixed penalties to drivers running their engines unnecessarily when not moving. This would help the air quality and also reduce noisy environments for residents and businesses. It was hoped that the Licensing Committee would be receptive to the inclusion of idling conditions in taxi ranks within Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

Members discussed the update and were advised that:-

      i.        VALP contained provisions which related to electric vehicle infrastructure and would be contained in the upcoming VALP Scrutiny Meeting.

     ii.        AVDC was limited in actions it could take at AQMA sites, particularly when the issue related to traffic flow. Liaison was carried out with Bucks CC on this, indeed once an AQMA was declared then Bucks CC did have to action. Emission zones would only be declared if significant issues were raised, however it was doubted that AVDC would be in a position to carry this out.

    iii.        Publicity campaigns could be undertaken to advise residents of ‘pinch point’ days which would advise of certain times and areas where air quality was notably poor. This could be achieved via an SMS service.

   iv.        AQMA locations were available on the website and showed on property searches so residents moving close to an AQMA would be aware.  

    v.        Technological advancements to vehicles would have had a positive impact of air quality improvement.

   vi.        Concerns were raised over the potential harmful output of the Greatmoor waste facility and how insufficient scrubber systems not removing pollutants would impact Winslow and the surrounding area.

Members did express concerns of the overall negative impact that development would potentially have on air quality in the Vale.

RESOLVED –

That the air quality update be noted.

Councillor Winn declared a personal interest in this item as he lived in the Stoke Road AQMA.