Agenda item

This report provides an update on air quality in York following submission of this year’s Annual Status Report to DEFRA in June 2018.  The report provides an update on levels of pollution monitored across the city and makes a series of recommendations regarding the current Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) boundaries.  An update on progress with measures in City of York Council’s third Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP3) is also provided. 

Resolved:  (i)      That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)      That an amendment to the boundary of the City Centre AQMA (Order No.4), to include Coppergate and the buildings on either side of the road, be approved.

Reason:     Whilst evaluation has shown that changes affecting traffic movements along Coppergate have had a positive impact in terms of local air quality throughout 2017, the annual mean NO₂  objective is still exceeded at relevant locations on the street.

                   (iii)     That an amendment to the City Centre AQMA (Order No.4), to reflect the fact that breaches of the hourly mean objective are no longer considered likely, be approved.

Reason:     The City Centre AQMA is currently declared on the basis of both the annual mean and the hourly mean NO₂ objectives, and recent monitoring of the hourly mean has shown that breaches of this standard are no longer likely in the vicinity of Rougier Street / George Hudson Street / Bridge Street.

                   (iv)    That the option to retain the Fulford Road AQMA (Order No. 2) for a further 12 months, whilst the potential traffic and air quality implications of developments within both York and neighbouring local authority areas are considered, be approved.

Reason:     Although concentrations of NO₂ monitored in the Fulford AQMA remain below the health based objective in 2017, the council must consider the potential air quality implications of developments in neighbouring local authority areas likely to affect future traffic movements into York, and future developments within York itself, before revoking this AQMA.

                   (v)     That the monitoring of NO₂ continuein the former Salisbury Terrace AQMA, as indicated in paragraph 18 of the report.

Reason:     To ensure that any future deterioration in air quality in this area is detected.

                   (vi)    That information on the World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines continue to be included in the annual status reports.

Reason:     So that progress against these stricter guidelines can also be monitored.

                   (vii)    That reports on the following matters be brought to a future Decision Session:

a)   the effects of the Smart Travel Evolution Programme (STEP) on the reduction of traffic emissions in the city;

b)   progress on the enforcement of anti-idling measures, as approved by Executive on 25 January 2018;

Reason:     To ensure that progress is maintained on measures to reduce traffic pollution.

                   (viii)   That officers in the relevant department be asked to review the way in which charging points for electric vehicles can be provided in terraced areas.

Reason:     In response to matters raised under Public Participation.

The Executive Member considered a report which provided an update on air quality in York following submission of the Annual Status Report (ASR) to DEFRA in June 2018 and made a series of recommendations regarding the current Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) boundaries.

It was reported that, overall, air quality in York had continued to improve year on year and feedback from DEFRA on the ASR had been positive.  Concentrations of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) were currently meeting objectives in both existing AQMA areas and levels of PM₁₀ particulates were well within EU and World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines as well as meeting national objectives.  Details were provided in the report, and progress against measures to improve air quality was set out in Annex A.

The recommended changes to AQMA no. 4 (City Centre) and AQMA no. 2 (Fulford Road) were outlined as Option A in paragraph 31 of the report, with further details in paragraphs 33-41.  The ‘Option B’ alternatives - not to amend AQMA 4 and to revoke AQMA 2 as soon as possible - were not recommended.

In response to questions from the Executive Member, the officer at the meeting confirmed that:

·        work to model emissions in traffic hotspots within the STEP programme was at an early stage;

·        the government was reviewing the appropriateness of adopting the WHO guidelines.

The Executive Member  expressed appreciation for those bus companies that had included electric vehicles in their fleet.  Taking into account the comments made under Public Participation, he

Resolved:  (i)      That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)      That an amendment to the boundary of the City Centre AQMA (Order No.4), to include Coppergate and the buildings on either side of the road, be approved.

Reason:     Whilst evaluation has shown that changes affecting traffic movements along Coppergate have had a positive impact in terms of local air quality throughout 2017, the annual mean nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) objective is still exceeded at relevant locations on the street.

                   (iii)     That an amendment to the City Centre AQMA (Order No.4), to reflect the fact that breaches of the hourly mean objective are no longer considered likely, be approved.

Reason:     The City Centre AQMA is currently declared on the basis of both the annual mean and the hourly mean NO₂ objectives, and recent monitoring of the hourly mean has shown that breaches of this standard are no longer likely in the vicinity of Rougier Street / George Hudson Street / Bridge Street.

                   (iv)    That the option to retain the Fulford Road AQMA (Order No. 2) for a further 12 months, whilst the potential traffic and air quality implications of developments within both York and neighbouring local authority areas are considered, be approved.

Reason:     Although concentrations of NO₂ monitored in the Fulford AQMA remain below the health based objective in 2017, the council must consider the potential air quality implications of developments in neighbouring local authority areas likely to affect future traffic movements into York, and future developments within York itself, before revoking this AQMA.

                   (v)     That the monitoring of NO₂ continuein the former Salisbury Terrace AQMA, as indicated in paragraph 18 of the report.

Reason:     To ensure that any future deterioration in air quality in this area is detected.

                   (vi)    That information on the World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines continue to be included in the annual status reports.

Reason:     So that progress against these stricter guidelines can also be monitored.

                   (vii)    That reports on the following matters be brought to a future Decision Session:

a)   the effects of the Smart Travel Evolution Programme (STEP) on the reduction of traffic emissions in the city;

b)   progress on the enforcement of anti-idling measures, as approved by Executive on 25 January 2018;

Reason:     To ensure that progress is maintained on measures to reduce traffic pollution.

                   (viii)   That officers in the relevant department be asked to review the way in which charging points for electric vehicles can be provided in terraced areas.

Reason:     In response to matters raised under Public Participation.