Minutes:
My name is Chris Howard and I’m in the Environmental Protection Team. I have been asked to give an update on the measures being introduced to help improve air quality in the area:
My previous manager and the air quality officer gave an update to this assembly last year on the air quality measures/projects that were being considered and funded through the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund. They have both subsequently left the Council so I’m picking up on managing the projects.
Greenscreen – I understand questions have been raised about the proposal the Team has been progressing in introducing a Greenscreen at Dalmain School. Before my involvement different locations were considered and Dalmain School was the favoured location for the following reasons
• The School and more importantly the playground is directly adjacent to Brockley Rise near the junction with Stanstead Road, where it has a 42 metre fence line.
• In this area there has been Nitrogen Dioxide levels measured through diffusion tubes for several years and these are exceeding the limit values.
• Children are particularly susceptible to adverse affects from poor air quality and so measures to reduce the exposure was an important consideration.
The Proposal - The proposal is to introduce plantings of Confederate Jasmine which will trail up and along the blue palisade fencing covering the whole length and eventually the height. There will be troughing introduced on the School side, so it won’t be visible from the street and a micro irrigation system will be provided from the school water system. All that you’ll be able to see will be the planting and when in season, it has a white flower. The plant is ever green and has a small leaf and dense coverage. There is some research that shows the benefits of plant coverage with small leaves in absorbing pollutants from the air.
We have chosen the supplier and we’re now ready to put together a contract with the aim for the installation to be completed during the end of the October half term. I’ve been meeting and communicating with the Head Teacher and one of the Governors on a fairly regular basis to get an agreed scheme. The school was keen to have a low maintenance option to reduce the ongoing costs.
Other Project Areas - The Mayor Air Quality Fund is also being used to help fund the transport design changes, which Simon will be covering. The best option for reducing air quality affects is through directly tackling the source of the pollution which is the road traffic.
There are also ways of bringing behavioural change through education and awareness.
Tom will give some feedback on the art project, which is looking to raise awareness on air quality issues along the Brockley Road and Brockley Rise corridor.
Funds have also been directed to a School air quality engagement project. This has been carried out in 5 local primary schools and has recently been completed. There were 9 teaching sessions, looking at the science, history, art and some hands on Nitrogen dioxide monitoring by the use of diffusion tube. I’ve received some very good feedback on how successful this project has been for both the children and the teachers.
There has been cycle training given to 6 local primary schools and there is a further proposal for a tree project where children will be taught about the importance of trees.
Public Art Project - As part of Lewisham Council’s regeneration scheme, the ‘Mayor’s Air Quality Fund’ is funding a series of art interventions to highlight the environment and promote ‘green’ modes of transport. Tom Pearman has been commissioned to design a series of enamel signs / art features to be located along the site.
The Public Art Project is part of a wider regeneration of Brockley Corridor which aims to improve the local area by creating a sense of place and arrival along the corridor, improve pedestrian/cyclist safety and movement, improve connections with nearby cycle routes and enhance the public realm.
London based public artist, TOM PEARMAN, has been commissioned for the commission.
It is hoped through this public art scheme and through active public consultation that the artworks will help foster a collaborative and creative approach towards the regeneration of the area and harness an environmental awareness.
For more detail visit http://tompearman.co.uk/projects/lewisham-council-street-signage/