Ned Johnson, (Principal Officer
Pollution), introduced the Air Quality report, together with the
Air Quality Action Plan which provided information on the issues of
air pollution faced in LB Enfield and how these problems are being
addressed.
The following was
highlighted:
- The
introduction of air quality management transcends from European law
and is a health based approach.
- First
round of assessment of local air quality completed in 2001
demonstrated the objective levels for nitrogen dioxide and
Particulates (PM10) would be exceeded along
major routes and a number of heavily trafficked roads, therefore
the borough was declared an air quality management area (AQMA). The
Air Quality Action Plan for Enfield was prepared following
this.
- The
Air Quality Standards Regulations (2010) has set objective levels
for pollutants for target dates.
- Data
shows that nitrogen dioxide objective is being exceeded at roadside
locations on busy roads. The data for
(PM10)
shows that we have not exceeded objectives for this pollutant since
2008.
- Data
is generated from four permanent monitoring sites in the borough.
Information captured aims to show what is happening at the roadside
and also from areas away from the road.
- The
current Air Quality Action Plan is being reviewed. Actions are updated as a result of activities/
measures undertaken such as traffic and transportation
schemes.
The following issues/questions
were raised
- Councillor Levy mentioned that from looking at the report it
would appear that some measures while seeking to improve air
quality may seem counter to other aims. He referred to the need for
correct placing of traffic signals so that traffic idling does not
cause higher emissions. He also spoke of the need for encouraging
greater cardiovascular exercise – cycling and walking to
school.
- Attention was drawn to the pie- chart shown at p15 of the Air
Quality Action Plan. This gave the indicative sources for
apportionment of NO2
in Enfield and showed that cars were the source of
9% for this type of pollution compared to 56% attributable to
‘local background’. It was
thought one of the contributors to the ’local
background’ category was the provision of central heating
from gas fires. When asked if local or
central government were able to influence this issue, it was
answered that measures had been taken such as in the area of
scrappage schemes for old boilers and improved home insulation
schemes.
- The
move to the use of new technologies as soon as practical was
considered beneficial, such as the move to hybrid/ electrical cars.
It was agreed that the move to electrical cars and installation of
electrical charging points was the way forward.
- Councillor Rye referred to the Cycle Enfield initiative and
thought heat maps of Enfield seem to show that an increase in the
standing of vehicles at traffic lights appear to indicate an
increase in pollutants. Reference was made to the implementation of
Cycle Enfield as a measure to reduce car use by providing safe
cycle routes.
- It was
asked what measures had been introduced in association with recent
legislation to pursue the ‘reduction of cars idling’.
Ned Johnson answered that we had not issued fixed notices for
‘anti-idling’ because legislation needed to be tighter,
at present it would be possible to escape prosecution easily and
the fixed notice at £20 was not considered a sufficient
deterrent. It was hoped people would be
most influenced through education with an awareness campaign taking
place outside Enfield schools. It was suggested that it may be
useful to lobby government to address this issue such as by
increasing fines and making legislation more robust.
- Councillor Pearce emphasised the importance of children using
their local schools with less reliance on cars taking children to
schools. Members were in agreement with
this and also spoke of the need for local bus routes to better
reflect transport needs including the increased future use of Chase
Farm hospital.
- It was
mentioned that the Mayor of London was looking to impose an Ultra
Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on all vehicles travelling in the Greater
London Area and it was thought this would be from within the North
Circular Road boundary. Ned Johnson stated that a disadvantage of
this would be that the North Circular road would be a
‘turning point’ for vehicles and this may cause
problems. It would also mean that while one area of the borough
would be within the zone, the remainder would not.
- Concerns were raised that road testing of vehicles regarding
European standards testing showed that many cars were not meeting
emission standards
- It was
thought priority should be given to the health of young people, and
for parking attendants to focus on vehicles parked outside schools
where cars were ‘idling’.
- Ned
Johnson confirmed that for NO2, there are
exceedances of the annual mean objective along main roads in the
Borough. For particulates - PM10 no exceedances of the
daily mean objective shown for the A105 Green Lanes.
- There
were concerns raised regarding road humps and other traffic
diverters, the effect of which is the stop/start movement of
traffic which may lead to more pollutants on roads. Ned Johnson
stated that monitoring had taken place but not specific monitoring
regarding road humps.
- Councillor Smith said he understood planters were to be
introduced along some roads and some barking bays widened, he
thought that a review may be useful of all traffic
measures. He also spoke of buses which
he said were a major contributor of air pollution. He said he
understood the London Mayor was keen to replace buses for hydrogen
buses although they are expensive.
- It was
suggested that with regard to pollution perhaps we needed to look
at whether our council vehicles and buildings were as good as they
could be, and whether we were able to influence our
contractors. It was confirmed that when
any of our fleet vehicles are replaced, we ensure that the
‘cleanest’ vehicles are acquired, thus we are leading
by example. It may be possible for a
‘Euro standard’ to be included in contracts, as a means
of influencing our contractors.
- Research may provide further information on the benefits of
reducing pollution and comparisons with the importance of exercise.
Also whether driver behaviour can be changed by education e.g more
careful driving over road humps. Ned
Johnson said research shows that exercise is always most
beneficial. He also referred to the Green Transport Plan which
encourages cycling and walking and the Gold Silver and Bronze
awards for schools to encourage culture change and hopefully for
children to influence family members.
- Councillor Rye made the point that traffic management measures
to reduce speed should also look to avoid an increase in
particulates -PM10.
He also stated that the Council’s vehicle
fleet should be replaced with ‘cleanest’ vehicles at
the earliest possible date and our contractors should be obliged to
use ‘green’ vehicles.
AGREED
Members noted the Air Quality Action Plan. They requested that
if any changes result in the removal of ‘Actions’ from
the Plan, following its review, then these should be reported back
to Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Ned Johnson was thanked for his
report.