Agenda item

The Technical Services Manager from Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) presented the report for Members’ consideration.

During the presentation of the report, it was noted that the Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) at Lickey End and Redditch Road, Bromsgrove had been declared as AQMAs for some time.

Following an update of national policy in respect of revocation of AQMAs by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) it had been deemed necessary to revoke AQMAs which had not seen Nitrogen Dioxide (NO²) exceedances for over five consecutive years. Officers explained that there had been no exceedance of NO² at both of these sites for some time. With the last exceedance for Lickey End in 2014 and for Redditch Road, Bromsgrove in 2016.

Should these two AQMAs be revoked this would result in only one remaining AQMA within the District, at Worcester Road. This site was subject to an Air Quality Action Plan and continued monitoring would take place at this site. It was noted that monitoring would also continue to take place at other sites across the District.

Cabinet was informed that a Behaviour Change Officer at WRS was working within the District to educate and influence behaviour changes with residents across the area. This included schools and other organisations in order to educate young people in the importance of air quality for the future with a view for them to influence their parents’ behaviour.

Following the presentation of the report, concerns were raised by Members regarding the Lickey End AQMA and the revocation of this site. Of particular concern was the potential decrease in air quality following the closure of School Lane due to infrastructure changes and subsequent diversions now being in place. It was noted that there was significant congestion at this location which might increase NO² emissions in the future. Officers explained that congestion would not necessarily result in increased emissions that were an issue to air quality and that this site would still be subject to monitoring going forward.

It was suggested that a potential site for monitoring along the A38 where there had been recent changes to the road layout, resulting in the homes being closer to the road, which could mean a potential increase in poor air quality. Monitoring around this location would provide surety for the residents that this location was still a safe place in terms of air quality.

Some Members expressed that the revocation of these two AQMAs was positive for the District in that air quality was improving. It was reiterated that these sites would continue to be monitored closely to see if there were any future exceedances and to carry out any necessary work should this be the case. Officers reported that real time monitoring data for specific locations could be accessed on the WRS website.

There were also concerns raised in terms of the impact with current road closures within Bromsgrove by Worcestershire County Council (WCC). It was reported that these closures had not only greatly impacted on congestion, but they had also impacted on businesses located within the Town Centre.

The Chief Executive Officer proposed that a letter be written on behalf of the Council to WCC to express the concerns raised at this meeting in respect of congestion and the impact the road closures had had on the Town Centre.

RECOMMENDED that the Lickey End, Bromsgrove Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and the Redditch Road, Bromsgrove, AQMA be revoked.