Air Quality Action Plan
Steering Group Meeting
Wednesday 18th June 2014
Land, Air and Water Quality Team
1. Introductions –
a. WRS;
b. Everyone else;
2. Aim of tonight’s meeting
-
Establish a plan of action
Discuss CBA process/outcomes/additions
Establish sub-groups
3. Ownership/responsibility
-
Solving poor air quality requires partnership working and cooperation between a number of individuals and organisations. Each
of us has an interest and a portion of the responsibility.
4. Finish time
Local Air Quality Management
LAQM work has been carried out, under the Environment Act 1995, since
the late 1990s.
It aims to protect public health by:
• Monitoring air quality
• Identifying areas of poor air quality
• Working towards improving identified poor air quality
Where a breach of air quality standards is identified an Air Quality
Management Area (AQMA) must be declared.
There are currently 9 AQMAs across Worcestershire.
Air Quality Action Plan for Worcestershire
All of the identified AQMAs are covered by the Air Quality Action Plan for
Worcestershire.
The Action Plan links national, regional and local policy to present potential
actions that may be taken to improve air quality.
The Action Plan aims to include and consider all types of action that may
improve air quality in the AQMAs.
Types of Action
There are two types of action:
Generic Actions
•
Applicable to a number of AQMAs in County
•
Examples include freight quality partnership, promoting flexible working
arrangements, variable message signage etc.
Specific Actions
•
Applicable to specific circumstances or characteristics in individual
AQMAs.
• Examples include traffic light phasing, junction review, bus stop location
etc.
Air Quality Action Plan - Actions
Deciding which actions are the best ones to take forward – it’s difficult!
The aim is to take forward the actions which give the greatest improvement in air quality.
In a small number of cases determining which actions these are is straightforward. For
example:
Action 5.1.10 Pedestrianisation of streets within affected area
If we remove all the traffic from the affected area it is easy to conclude that we will
significantly reduce traffic based emissions and improve air quality.
However, in most cases it is much more difficult. For example:
Action 5.1.1 Alteration to phasing of traffic light systems in affected area
How do we estimate how much this will improve congestion? And in turn reduce emissions?
And in turn improve NO2 levels?
It is a complex and multifaceated process.
Air Quality Action Plan - Actions
Deciding which actions are the best ones to take forward
In addition to considering the potential improvement in air quality it is necessary to consider
the following:
•
•
•
•
Feasibility
Cost
Timescale
Support
To try and address all these points we developed the basic cost-benefit analysis that was
provided to you prior to this meeting. We also provided you with an explanation of the
process of the cost benefit analysis.
Air Quality Action Plan - Actions
Cost Benefit Analysis - Weaknesses or Stumbling Blocks?
Weaknesses - Generally relate to lack of availability of information or data
Degree – Difficult to predict with lack of information so consideration was given to the type of
action vs source apportionment, amount of NO2 reduction required and the AQMA
characteristics.
Cost – Most actual costs are unknown so actions have been costed relative to each other.
Timeline – Can vary according to uptake and implementation
Feasibility – some actions may become unfeasible when more information is available
Air Quality Action Plan - Actions
Cost Benefit Analysis – Critique
1. County Council Comments received
-
Copy provided as a hand out.
2. Major criticisms or objections?
3. Insights into assumptions/factors being considered?
Air Quality Action Plan - Actions
Way Forward
1. Proposed sub-groups
a.
b.
c.
d.
Split by AQMA; allocation of members and identification of lead
Roles of facilitation, funding, technical competency and power
Comments or requests to lead
Where would Public Health Consultant and Act on Energy like to appear
2. Working together
a. Identify roles and tasks amongst group
b. Facilitated by WRS
c. Set timeline to progress actions
Air Quality Action Plan - Actions
Next
Expressions of interest in being involved in sub-groups/requests to
lead sub-groups to be sent to WRS.
Sub-groups to meet/teleconference and progress actions
Next Meeting ~ proposed 6 months to report back on progress
made by sub-groups