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Agenda item

Ashbourne Air Quality Management Area Action Plan

This report seeks approval of a draft Air Quality Management Area Action Plan for the purposes of public consultation prior to submission to DEFRA.

Minutes:

The Director of Regulatory Services introduced a report which sought Member approval of the draft Air Quality Action Plan for the purposes of public consultation prior to submission to DEFRA.

 

At the meeting of this Committee held on 7th April 2021 it was resolved to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) within Ashbourne, this was declared due to levels of nitrogen dioxide exceeding the annual average air quality objectives in several areas of Ashbourne. Four updating reports had since been submitted to this Committee regarding the progress of the AQMA.

 

The report informed Members of the work undertaken since the declaration of the AQMA to develop an action plan aimed at addressing the exceedance of the air quality objective. It was noted that due to road traffic being the main source of pollution in the area, the District Council worked closely with Derbyshire County Council as the local Highways Authority. To enable greater engagement with the development of proposals, a working group consisting of representatives of Derbyshire Dales District Council’s Environmental Health Team, Derbyshire County Council’s Transport Strategy Team, Ashbourne Town Council and Ashbourne Town Team was formed.

 

The draft Action Plan was provided as an appendix to the report, Members were asked to note this as an evolving document presented only for information at this stage. At this time, the Action Plan contained nine proposed actions as detailed in the report. Comments received from Ashbourne Town Council and Ashbourne Town Team were included as appendices 2 and 3 respectively.

 

18:36 – During discussion of this Item Councillor Sue Bull entered the meeting.

 

During debate, the following amendment and was moved by Councillor David Hughes and seconded by Councillor Neil Buttle:

 

“2. That the consultation documents attached as appendix 5 to this report be approved for public consultation as set out in paragraph 2.10 below with the following additional actions:

 

1.    A clean air zone covering the centre of Ashbourne with a charge levied on diesel commercial vehicles and taxis that are not Euro 6 compliant with an exemption for vehicles registered with keepers within the Ashbourne Civil Parish.

 

2.    An enforced 20mph zone within the centre of Ashbourne.

 

The centre of Ashbourne to include Buxton Road south of Windmill Lane, the Market Place, Park Road, Belper Road between Park Road and Station Road, Station Road, and St John Street, and all roads between those perimeter roads.

 

Reasons:

 

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has made recommendations concerning outdoor air quality and health. While the proposed actions cover many of the NICE recommendations, NICE recommendations concerning clean air zones and speed limits have been rejected.

 

The proposal of a clean air zone would encourage owners of non-compliant vehicles to invest in new vehicles and is consistent with a “polluter pays” principle. The exemption for vehicles registered in Ashbourne will mean that it the measure will be focused on vehicles using Ashbourne for transit not on those that are providing an economic benefit to the town.

 

The proposal to introduce a 20mph zone would reduce NO2 pollution through smoother driving even when the average speed is below 30mph. A reduction in changes in vehicle speed reduces acceleration and braking, both of which add to air pollution.

 

A rejection of such proposals at this stage will excessively limit the ability of Ashbourne residents to make their views known and to influence policy development.”

 

This amendment was put to the vote as follows:

 

11 For

01 Against

01 Abstention

 

The Chairman declared the amendment CARRIED.

 

A further amendment was moved by Councillor Martin Burfoot, seconded by Councillor Steve Wain and is detailed below:

 

“That this Council honours its previous commitment and as part of a comprehensive and meaningful public consultation exercise lasting at least four weeks and commencing immediately, a drop in consultation session and an open public meeting will be held, with full publicity and access for all those with sensory disabilities and who are non-IT conversant. The results are to be reported back to this Committee.”

 

This amendment was put to the vote as follows:

 

11 For

01 Against

01 Abstention

 

The Chairman declared the amendment CARRIED.

 

It was then moved by Councillor David Hughes, Seconded by Councillor Martin Burfoot and

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    That the further development of the draft Air Quality Action Plan attached as appendix 1 to the report be noted;

 

2.    That the consultation documents attached as appendix 5 to this report be approved for public consultation as set out in paragraph 2.10 and including the following additional actions:

 

1.    That a clean air zone covering the centre of Ashbourne (which includes Buxton Road south of Windmill Lane, the Market Place, Park Road, Belper Road between Park Road and Station Road, Station Road, and St. John Street, and all roads between those perimeter roads) be established, with a charge levied on diesel commercial vehicles and taxis which are not Euro 6 compliant, with an exemption for vehicles registered with keepers within the Ashbourne Civil Parish.

 

2.    That a 20mph zone be enforced within the centre of Ashbourne (which includes Buxton Road south of Windmill Lane, the Market Place, Park Road, Belper Road between Park Road and Station Road, Station Road, and St John Street, and all roads between those perimeter roads).

 

3.    That, in honouring the Council’s previous commitment and as part of a comprehensive and meaningful public consultation exercise lasting at least four weeks and commencing immediately, a drop-in consultation session and an open public meeting be held, with full publicity and access for all those with sensory disabilities and who are non-IT conversant.

 

4.    That the outcome of the consultation be reported back to the Committee following its conclusion.

 

 

Voting

 

11 For

01 Against

01 Abstained

 

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

Supporting documents: