Air Quality Action Plan

Contact

Anthea Anderson

(Transport Strategy Officer)

0116 454 2889

anthea.anderson@leicester.gov.uk

Feedback updated 25 Jan 2016

We asked

We asked for your views on the draft, ‘Healthier Air for Leicester, Leicester’s Air Quality Action Plan 2015-2025’.

You said

Six consultation questions were asked. 170 formal responses were received. 23 of these were from organisations. Two additional consultation exercises were carried out through the ‘Shaping Future Transport Initiatives’ event and ‘Travel Leicester – Finding Solutions’ Forum.

85% agreed that we should lobby government to introduce measures to reduce polluting emissions from vehicles.

76% agreed that we should introduce a Low Emission Zone, first for buses, then for all vehicles.

A summary of the examples of the main responses raised were to:

improve public transport
adopt a no-idling policy for buses and taxis
improve walking and cycling infrastructure
improve traffic management
promote the use of ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs)
encourage car sharing and to plant more trees / more green spaces.

We did

All of the responses received were analysed in more detail to help us finalise the Air Quality Action Plan which was approved by Full Council on 26 November 2015.

The main changes to the document were:

the number of actions was reduced from 22 to 16 as there was some repetition with the actions in the draft document
the theme names were changed to better reflect the actions
the document end date was changed to be in line with the Local Transport Plan timescale
a specific measure was introduced to increase the uptake of ULEVs
a new action was added to look at plant and trees uptake of air pollution
wording for lobbying for a national publicity campaign included
taxis to be included in the Low Emission Zone
to investigate the possible introduction of idling free zones
to mention of Work Place Parking Levy which the benefits of such a scheme will be kept under review.

Results updated 6 Jan 2016

Files:

Air quality action plan consultation responses and considerations, 69.0 KB (PDF document)
Leicester’s Air Quality Action Plan (2015-2026), 1.2 MB (PDF document)

Overview

Poor air quality affects people’s health and damages the environment. European and national guidelines set out the levels of pollutants in air that are considered acceptable.

This ambitious air quality action plan will ensure that we do not remain complacent in our efforts to improve the health of people in Leicester and reduce inequalities. It contains far reaching actions over the period to 2025 intended to significantly reduce air pollution to a level lower than we are required to achieve by law. For example, Leicester currently exceeds the EU threshold level for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in a number of areas in the city.

The plan has been developed as a result of consultation with key stakeholders, a review of the available evidence and a Defra funded project – the LESTAir project – that modelled different potential pollution reducing measures. As a result we believe this action plan has been informed by the best available evidence and that it is feasible and appropriate to Leicester.

The plan sets out our ambitions and the 22 actions presented under 4 themes we need to take to reduce air pollution in Leicester. The themes are:

Reducing Transport Emissions
Increasing Active Travel
Improving Traffic Management
Improving Land Use Planning

Some of the actions will have a greater impact than others and we have indicated the level of impact expected against each action. It is clear that any one action alone will not be enough to address air pollution. The plan is also clear on the need to work with Government and our partners in order to achieve our overall aim.

Leicester's air quality action plan is ambitious and far reaching. It is informed by knowledge of and commitment to what is necessary to improve the quality of air in Leicester. The consequences of this plan will be more than just reaching EU targets, it will mean better health for the people of Leicester.

Why your views matter

Under the Environment Act 1995 it is a legal requirement to prepare and consult on an Air Quality Action Plan. This plan sets out the specific measures that Leicester City Council intends to introduce in pursuit of the air quality objectives. We are consulting with our statutory stakeholders, as well as members of the public and other interested parties on our proposed actions. It also provides an opportunity to suggest other actions that could be taken to alleviate air pollution.

Once you have looked through the Draft Air Quality Action Plan and supporting documents, please send us your comments.

Please click on the online survey below to complete the online questionnaire.

Once the consultation has closed we will analyse the results and all feedback and comments will be used to agree the final Air Quality Action Plan.

Alternatively if you would like to complete a hard copy of the consultation questionnaire, then please print out the Healthier Air: Air Quality Action Plan Questionnaire below and post it to:

Transport Strategy

2nd Floor Rutland Wing

Leicester City Council

City Hall

115 Charles Street

Leicester

LE1 1FZ

Supporting Documents

Air Quality Action Plan

Air Quality Action Plan Questionnaire (for printing)

Air Quality Monitoring Stations Map

LestAir Low Emission Strategy Business and Implementation Plan