Agenda item

D Newnham introduced the report to members and ran through the key points:

• Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 requires Local Authorities to review air quality within their area. If it appears that any air quality ‘objective’ prescribed in the regulations and in the National Air Quality Strategy is not likely to be achieved then the Local Authority must designate the affected areas as Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). The Act then requires that an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) be produced for any areas designated as AQMAs, setting out the actions that the Council intend to take to achieve the air quality objectives. 
• In June 2012 Dacorum Borough Council formally declared three identified areas where it was likely that the annual mean air quality objective for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) (40µg/m3) would not be met, these areas are:

AQMA 1: Lawn Lane, Hemel Hempstead

AQMA 2: London Road, Apsley

AQMA 3: High Street, Northchurch 

• With regards to the Lower Kings Road monitoring site, the monitoring data for 2014 to 2016 has indicated exceedances of the annual mean NO₂ concentration in 2014 and 2015. The annual mean NO₂ objective was not exceeded in 2016. In terms of the further action, Defra have advised Regulatory Services should await the results of the 2017 data before taking further action. An exceedance for 2017 would form a just cause to declare an AQMA.

Councillor Birnie referred to the 20 mitigation measures included in the report but it doesn’t contain anything truly proactive and relies on the vague hope that people will give up their cars. People’s health is in danger and pollution is increasing. Apsley and Lawn Lane are the most polluted areas in the borough and there is a proposal to build hundreds of new flat which is inappropriate and dangerous.

D Newnham said air quality was a material planning consideration. She said she had made comments on the Two Waters Masterplan consultation. The national planning guidance informs when to ask for an air quality assessment.

Councillor Birnie said assessments are not needed. Electric vehicles will not be common place until 2030.

D Newnham said conditions can be put on major applications if it will worsen the air quality situation.

Councillor Birnie said the council have admitted that traffic contributes to the problem yet there is constant static traffic in Apsley. The road structure is the problem.

The Chairman said the Vice-Chairman who represented Apsley and he were grateful that they were invited to participate in the workshops conducted to draft the Two Waters Masterplan.  Apsley High Street was the way in to and from Hemel Hempstead for Councillor Anderson's consitituents and the road had largely become impassible due to congestion.  As a result of the workshops, the draft Masterplan contained a proposal for the widening of the bridge in Durrants Hill, which ultimately could be paid for by developer contributions.

Councillor Birnie said that perhaps DBC should liaise closely with HCC on the design of the roads.

D Newnham said that the DBC’s responsibility is to work with Herts Highways to come up with measures. Previously, steering groups have been set up.

Councillor Marshall said it was worth bearing in mind that a Herts Transport Plan is out for consultation. It might not solve the problem but might help ease problems faced. Councillor Marshall asked Laura Wood in Strategic Planning regarding air quality and planning applications. D Newnham is consulted on an application by planning case officers and she advises on conditions to implement which reflects formal guidance from national policy. The team has discussed extending air testing networks where it is likely that new developments will happen.

Councillor Anderson said it was frustrating that the same areas keep coming up, but it was apparent that DBC was doing everything it could, and that the liability lay with the highway authority.

Councillor Riddick said he questioned the competence of Herts Highways. He said Apsley was gridlocked and congestion studies were not needed what is needed, are some solutions to improve local infrastructure.

D Newnham said that the Herts and Beds Air Quality Forum are to provide a response to the LTP4 consultation. Overall the Forum don’t feel that air quality is given adequate consideration by the County Council in highways schemes.

Councillor G Sutton said that you can’t look at one individual point in Apsley, the wider area needs to be looked at. The sequence of lights needs to be changed at Two Waters as traffic is held too long.

Councillor Timmis said last week, the M1 was closed and the whole of the town became gridlocked. Highways must react to the huge pressure on the roads.

Councillor Birnie said there should be no right turns out of Durrants Hill.

Councillor Anderson suggested that Councillor Howard should take this up with her county Council colleagues.

Outcome

Councillor Anderson said the committee acknowledge the frustrations on the lack of progress but understand that DBC are doing all they can. The Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee approved the report.