Issue - meetings

The report details the latest air quality monitoring results for the city and progress on delivering the measures in York’s third Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP3) to deliver further improvements. 

Resolved:

                      i.         The content of the report was noted.

Reason:     To ensure that the City of York Council continues to monitor York’s air quality and the progress from delivering the measures in York’s third Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP3) to deliver further improvements.

The Executive Member considered a report that provided the latest air quality monitoring results for the city. Discussions outlined the general downward trend in Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) concentrations monitored across the city since 2012, although it was noted that some areas had plateaued. The health based annual average NO2 objective was noted as still being breached at some locations in the city, including Gillygate, Holgate / Blossom Street and Rougier Street / George Hudson Street. The impact of COVID-19 lowering NO2 by about 40% was noted as showing the impact of vehicle emissions in York.

York being the first city with a clean air zone was highlighted and some of the work to lower emissions were noted such as the switch to fully electric buses and retrofitting buses, as well as, encouraging taxi conversions. It was also outlined how the city had and was continuing to be developed to deliver the infrastructure for residents to be able to switch to electric vehicles. The work undertaken to improve York’s air quality away from transport in the city was also noted.

Resolved:

                      i.         The content of the report was noted.

Reason:     To ensure that the City of York Council continues to monitor York’s air quality and the progress from delivering the measures in York’s third Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP3) to deliver further improvements.