NEW ACTION ON AIR POLLUTION
| Published: 14th July 2007 21:51 |
The Air Quality Action Plan, 2007-2010 focuses on all issues affecting air quality in Croydon and lays out 11 key priorities to be addressed over the coming three years.
The proposals look at tackling emissions from road traffic, industry and homes. Some focus on completely new areas whilst others build on the success of existing measures set down in the council's first Air Quality Action Plan, published in 2002.
The 11 priorities propose:
• Reducing air pollution from idling vehicles.
• Continuing to carry out a programme of vehicle emissions testing
• Supporting the introduction of a London-wide Low Emission Zone
• Reducing the impact of air pollution from heavy goods vehicles
• Working with Transport for London to reduce air pollution on congested sections of the road network, which includes the A23.
• Becoming a flagship borough in the use of hydrogen as a fuel.
• Imposing tighter standards on air pollution emissions from construction sites.
• Developing a strategy to reduce air pollution emissions from homes.
• Investigating the case for imposing a ban or partial ban on bonfires throughout London.
• Revising planning guidance to improve air quality in the borough.
• Expanding and improving the airTEXT service.
The council has five monitoring stations situated around the borough which measure levels of different air pollutants. Strict boundaries are laid down by central government on the accepted levels of these pollutants and new objectives that need to be reached by 2010 mean that an even greater effort will need to be made ensure Croydon complies.
The council's efforts in tackling air pollution to date were recognised earlier this year when it was awarded Beacon status for Delivering Cleaner Air. Initiatives such as airTEXT, the free messaging service which alerts those vulnerable to fluctuations in air quality, and the campaign targeting idling vehicles have been two of the most successful and have contributed towards the achievement.
Councillor Steve O'Connell, deputy leader and cabinet member for safety and cohesion said: "Tackling air pollution is vital to improving the health and quality of life of people who live in or come to Croydon. High levels of certain airbourne pollutants can have a damaging effect on sensitive people including children and the elderly or those who suffer from respiratory problems.
"Croydon has an excellent track record of tackling air pollution but we cannot afford to be complacent. With ever more stringent targets on air quality being laid down, we must continue to place a strong focus on doing all we can to deal with this issue."
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