Air Quality in Bath. Bath and North East Somerset The place to live, work and visit

Transcription

1 Air Quality in Bath

2 Directorate of Place Environmental Services Public Protection and Health Improvement Environmental Monitoring

3 Our team Dr Nicola Courthold Senior Public Protection Officer Environmental Monitoring Rob Spalding Senior Public Protection Officer Environmental Monitoring Aled Williams Environmental Protection Manager Cathryn Brown Team Manager for Licensing and Environmental Protection

4 Quiz time

5 Air Quality- the UK context UK has a history of non-compliance with EU Air Quality limit values on nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ); In 2014, the UK Government was forced to achieve compliance by the Supreme Court; In 2016 DEFRA issued new policy to comply with this instruction. Main thrust of compliance is through creation of Clean Air Zones in 6 cities- London, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton;

6 Air Quality- the UK context For all other cities DEFRA says: our projections show that due to measures already implemented since our 2011 plans, along with natural fleet turnover, we will have much reduced concentrations of NO 2 compared to the 2013 baseline and be at or below the limit values in all but six cities in (Improving air quality in the UK. Tackling nitrogen dioxide in our towns and cities, December 2015)

7 Air Quality- the UK context What now after the EU referendum vote outcome?

8 The Council s responsibility Bath and North East Somerset Council is legally required to review air quality and if improvements are necessary, designate air quality management areas (AQMA), under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 and the Air Quality (Standards) regulations 2010 (derived from EU directive); Once declared, improvement must be demonstrated;

9 What pollutants do we monitor and why? Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2 ) - produced by the combination of oxides of Nitrogen and Oxygen in the atmosphere; significant source is from motor vehicles Nitrogen Dioxide is an irritant and can cause sensitivity to other allergens. Particularly a problem for those suffering from respiratory conditions such as asthma

10 What pollutants do we monitor and why? Particulate matter - our focus is on monitoring particulate matter not exceeding 10µm which can reach your lungs, specifically: PM 10 (particulate matter not exceeding 10µm in diameter) and PM 2.5 (particulate matter not exceeding 2.5µm in diameter).

11 What pollutants do we monitor and why? It is not compulsory to monitor PM 2.5 but we are expected to work towards reducing it. It can cause inflammation of the lungs and a worsening of heart and lung diseases. Readings at Chelsea House over a 5 month period between Aug and Dec 2015 measured 9µg/m 3 compared to EU Directive limit value of 25µg/m 3.

12 Our monitoring network: continuous monitoring London Road (Chelsea House enclosure) NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO 2 ), PM 10, PM 2.5 London Road AURN (Antiques shop) NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO 2 ) Guildhall NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO 2 ) Windsor Bridge NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO 2 ), PM 10

13 Our monitoring network: mobile, automatic monitoring NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO 2 ), PM 2.5, PM 10 - Mobile - Dial in - Continuous readings - Tend to remain in place for 3+ months - Request list for locations

14 Our monitoring network: diffusion tubes Measure NO locations throughout B&NES Changed on a monthly basis and provide monthly averages;

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18 What do we do with our results? Produce an annual report for DEFRA now called Annual Status Reports; Provide live data to the B&NES website; Use the measurements to inform planning application consultation responses; Respond to data requests; Use the levels to inform actions in the Air Quality Action Plans;

19 Where s the pollution from? Traffic composition Source of nitrogen dioxide Light Goods Vehicles 14% Rigid HGV 3% Artic HGV 2% Motorcycles 1% Buses/Coaches 16% Other 0% Petrol Cars 6% Buses & Coaches 2% Diesel Cars 32% HGV 29% Cars 78% LGV 17%

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21 Estimated Action Plan Timeline Activity Date Review Current Action Plan August September 2016 Refresh data Source apportionment August September 2016 Option generation Officers October 2016 January 2017 Option generation - External February 2017 March 2017 Pre-consultation approval April 2017 May 2017 Consultation May 2017 July 2017 Post consultation draft August 2017 October 2017 Adoption November 2017 December 2017

22 Our challenges. Engaging with communities about our action plans Ensuring that the public understand the issues Creating deliverable action plans which are affordable

23 Thank you for contributing to our Thank presentation. you Any questions?