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What is the Council doing? Air Quality Management Area Spelthorne recognised that our air quality was likely to exceed targets set by government so we declared the whole Borough an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in 2000. This means that we have to monitor pollution levels and manage development to ensure it is not going to make matters worse. As the main source of NO2 emissions in our Borough is from road traffic, Spelthorne Borough Council has to work with those that control the highways, namely the Highways Agency and Surrey County Council. The Highways Agency is responsible for the motorways that pass through the Borough (M25, M3) and major roads such as the A30 and A308. Surrey County Council controls all the other roads in the Borough. The second largest source of NO2 emissions is from airport activities at Heathrow. So we must work with the other local authorities around the airport (such as the London Boroughs of Hillingon and Hounslow and Slough Borough Council), the airport operator, BAA, and British Airways, as the airline company using the airport most. In 2005 we prepared an Action Plan about how air quality can be improved in the Borough. Within this document we outlined actions that would be taken by Surrey County Council and Spelthorne to tackle areas such as road emissions, emissions from the Council's own activities, emissions from new developments, industrial emissions and smoke emissions. Since then, we have worked with the County Council to deliver projects specific to the actions agreed upon. Managing development The major pollutant in Spelthorne is nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which comes primarily from cars. The more cars there are on the road, the more NO2 is emitted. We now have a planning policy that insists developers carry out air quality assessments for major developments. For small developments in areas of better air quality we still ensure the developer is incorporating cycling and walking facilities into the development, whereas for larger developments and those in poorer air quality areas, specialist modelling is required to ensure they do not negatively impact the area. This is often done at the application stage so that if the development is going to worsen the air quality, the application can be refused on those grounds. The Highways Agency and Surrey County Council, as highways authorities, are also involved in managing development looking at whether the local road system can cope with any extra traffic proposed and requiring improvements to road junctions to allow a better flow of traffic. For major residential and commercial developments, the developer must also prepare a Travel Plan. The aims of a Travel Plan are:
Successful projects There are many successful projects that Surrey County Council and Spelthorne have carried out that are helping to improve air quality in the Borough. Below are some examples of these projects:
In 2008 we were awarded a £10,000 grant by Defra to implement an educational project promoting emission reductions from business road transport in the Heathrow area - the "clear ideas" campaign. All four councils surrounding Heathrow (Hillingdon, Hounslow, Slough and Spelthorne councils) have declared Air Quality Management Areas and have Air Quality Action Plans to reduce emissions from road traffic. The four boroughs will work together on this campaign which looks to use a range of innovative communications tools to promote reductions in emissions from road transport across the Heathrow area. The audiences aimed at will be:
Heathrow Airwatch All the boroughs that surround Heathrow Airport share their monitoring data on the Heathrow air watch website. This independent website provides air quality information specifically for the Heathrow area. You can compare data from several locations around the airport as well as look at trends for the same location from 2001 to just a few hours ago. Working with BAA and British Airways There have been regular meetings with BAA; the airport operator, British Airways and with our air quality colleagues at Slough Borough Council and the London Boroughs of Hounslow and Hillingdon. This enables us to undertake monitoring and modelling studies consistent with the other local authorities to build up a better picture of the impact of the airport and to work on joint iniatives to encourage a reduction of emissions. By engaging with BAA and BA, the Council can review what the airport is doing about its emissions and encourage further measures. As a result we have been consulted on a number of BAA initiatives and documents, including to name but two: the Heathrow air quality action plan, and the Heathrow environment strategy. Involvement has also taken place on the Project for a Sustainable Heathrow (external link). Air pollution leaflet (external link) What can I do? About traffic Cars are the major source of poor air quality in Spelthorne. Our Air Quality Management Area was declared because of NO2 which primarily comes from road vehicles. Finding alternative ways to get around, like walking and cycling, not only reduces air pollutants but also improves health. Car pollution leaflet (external link) -- sections include:
The shortest car journeys cause the worst air pollution. Many of us use cars without a second thought because we are used to the convenience and comfort. This has left us with an unhealthy attitude to exercise and the environment. Experts say 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day at least five days a week is the key to improving your health. By walking a short distance a couple of times a day everyone can meet this target with ease. Even walking to the shops at lunch could be enough. Where our health and the environment are concerned, it’s the little things that make all the difference.
75% of people in the UK live within two miles of a National Cycle Network route. Locate routes near you using online mapping or browse suggested rides on the Sustrans (external link) website. Improvements to 16 school approach routes have been made since 2000, and 20 schools in Spelthorne now have approved travel plans. Surrey County Council is improving facilities for safer routes to school by
There are various organisations that want to encourage people to think about their options when travelling any journey. Now you can make an informed choice about how you travel:
Car sharing By car sharing you have the convenience and comfort of using a car, you save money and relieve the stress and pollution caused by congestion, making the air we breathe healthier. You can use it to get to work, do the weekly shop, take the children to school or even go to the airport. Surrey County Council has teamed up with the national organisation Liftshare, the largest implementer of car-sharing systems in the UK, to set up www.surreycarshare.com. Registering is free, the website is simple to use and gives helpful tips about travelling with a stranger. Anyone working at Heathrow is eligible to take part in the BAA airport car share scheme (external link). |
