Shropshire Council is seeking feedback on its Draft Air Quality Action Plans (AQAPs) for Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth, which outline the actions the council will take to meet the air quality objectives and reduce the health impacts of air pollution in the two towns.
Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom:
The Air Quality Action Plans (AQAPs) were developed following the establishment of Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) near Shrewsbury’s Railway Station and along Pound Street in Bridgnorth, due to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels surpassing national standards.
The draft AQAPs include a summary of:
- the current air quality situation
- sources of pollution
- an assessment of the reductions required
- details of the key priorities and actions
The actions cover a range of areas such as traffic management, sustainable transport, public awareness, and planning policies. The draft AQAPs also provide an estimate of the cost and benefit of each proposed measure, as well as the expected timescale for achieving compliance with the air quality objectives.
Shrewsbury
The Shrewsbury draft AQAP mainly considers the predicted effect of existing plans that are either already progressing (e.g. Castle Foregate Gyratory) or plans that have already been approved (e.g. The North West Relief Road), as well as additional actions such as anti-idling measures. The forecast suggests that by undertaking the recommended initiatives, the desired outcomes should be achieved by the year 2025. However, if these actions are not implemented and only national measures are pursued, it is anticipated that compliance will be attained by 2029.
Bridgnorth
The Bridgnorth draft AQAP considers a variety of potential measures for the future, such as removing zebra crossings in certain locations, variable messaging signs, and park and ride schemes. If the measures detailed in the action plan are implemented, it is predicted that the relevant objectives will be achieved by 2027. Without these measures being implemented, it is predicted that the objectives will be achieved by 2028.
Councillor Chris Schofield Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for for planning and regulatory services, said:
“We are committed to improving the air quality in Shropshire and have developed these draft action plans to address the areas where the pollution levels are above the national standards.
“We want to ensure that our actions are effective, proportionate, and supported by the local communities and businesses. That is why we are launching this consultation to gather feedback and suggestions on the draft plans.
“We encourage everyone to take part and help us shape the final plans that will benefit the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors.”
To view the draft AQAPs and to take part in the consultation click here:
The consultation is open to everyone and the council would like to hear the views of the public and local businesses on the draft AQAPs. A hard copy of the draft AQAPs will be made available in the libraries in Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth.
The consultation will run until 12 September 2024 and the responses will be summarised and considered before the final AQAPs are adopted by the council.
Further information
The AQAPs have been produced in response to the declaration of Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in Shrewsbury opposite the Railway Station and in Bridgnorth along Pound Street, where the levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exceed the national standards. The AQMAs were declared in 2003 and 2005 respectively, and the first AQAPs were published in 2008. The current draft AQAPs are the result of a review and update of the previous plans, taking into account the latest monitoring data, emission sources, and potential mitigation measures.
The draft AQAPs follow the approved template provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and include a summary of the current air quality situation, an apportionment of the sources of pollution, an assessment of the reductions required, and details of the key priorities and actions. The actions cover a range of areas, such as traffic management, sustainable transport, public awareness, and planning policies. The draft AQAPs also provide an estimate of the cost and benefit of each proposed measure, as well as the expected timescale for achieving compliance with the air quality objectives.
Quoted from Shropshire Council’s online newsroom. Original article can be found here: Residents and businesses invited to share their views on proposed measures to improve air quality in Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth – Shropshire Council Newsroom
Does your town or county need a Green Directory to support your sustainability aims and enable your community to become greener? Get in touch today and we can help provide a dedicated page for your area.
