Residents, groups and the wider public are being encouraged to give their views on an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) seeking to reduce air pollutants in and around Trent Bridge and the A52 at the Stragglethorpe junction.
The deadline for responses is 6 September 2021.
Rushcliffe Borough Council are now asking for views on the plan available to view here: https://bit.ly/2UxABEp
All views can be made via the online survey: https://bit.ly/2UxkAhA, by emailing environmentalhealth@rushcliffe.gov.uk or in writing to: Environmental Health Manager, Rushcliffe Borough Council, Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7YG until September 6.
The Council and its partners are set to deliver the plan until April 2026 to reduce concentrations of air pollutants and exposure to air pollution in both locations currently designated Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs).
Local authorities have a central role in achieving improvements in air quality. Through the Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) system local authorities are required to assess air quality in their area and designate Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) if improvements are necessary.
Where an AQMA is designated, local authorities are required to produce an air quality Action Plan describing the pollution reduction measures it will put in place.
The four priorities identified in the plan are:
- Rushcliffe Borough Council to continue to monitor nitrogen dioxide levels at the sites and revoke them if and when there is sufficient robust data to demonstrate concentrations are well below the air quality standard objectives for a period of four to five years;
- To work with Nottinghamshire County Council, as the highway authority at the location of AQMA No 1 Trent Bridge, to implement the relevant actions set out within the plan to manage traffic volume and flow and enable residents to make smarter travel choices;
- To work with Highways England, as the highway authority at the location of AQMA No 1/2011 Stragglethorpe Road to implement the relevant actions set out within the plan to manage traffic volume and flow; and
- Rushcliffe Borough Council will continue to work with partners to actively promote policies to encourage an increased use of low emission travel options in the Borough; and to secure funding for the installation of a publicly accessible vehicle charging network infrastructure across our estate.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis said: “We invite views on the plan which outlines how we aim to tackle air quality issues in these areas and reduce nitrogen dioxide levels to positively impact on the health and quality of life of residents and visitors to the Borough.
“The two locations are similar to many other major routes nationally in and near to cities where traffic volumes are high. The Trent Bridge AQMA has seen traffic levels reduce over the last five years but we’re keen to continue to build on this progress wherever we can.
“We recognise there are air quality policy areas that are outside of our influence such as vehicle emissions standards, so we will continue to work with regional and central government on policies and issues beyond the partners’ direct influence.”
