Agenda item

That the report be noted. It was also agreed that:

·         The Committee would support the increased enforcement of anti-idling measures.

·         That information would be provided on the number of penalty charge notices issued for idling. Members would also welcome additional efforts with businesses to improve signage (particularly at supermarkets and train stations)

·         More information would be provided on plans to increase the availability of electrical points for vendors in parks (and that in future reports the effect on air quality should be considered).

·          That additional data would be provided on the impact of modal filters on air quality (e.g., on Bishopsthorpe and Silverdale Road)

·         That active travel should be prioritised, and that further funding should be sought for the implementation of new cycle hangars (not requiring public contributions)

·         More information would be provided on the outcome of air quality audits for schools;

·         That members would welcome further work on the interoperability of data on the Council website to enable comparison with neighbouring boroughs.

4.1    Paul Boulton (Interim Director of Public Realm) and Lucy Kirk (Environmental Protection Manager) introduced the report noting the key elements of the report as well as a summary of the progress made in the first year of the delivery of the plan.

4.2    Paul Boulton and Lucy Kirk responded to questions from the Committee – the following key points were noted:

·         Anti-idling signs had been put up at 75 schools around the borough – it was recognised that more could be done. A communications plan was planned, and more enforcement would take place in future.

·         There had been a number of reports on air quality and the low traffic neighbourhood – an update to Mayor and Cabinet was forthcoming.

·         It could be challenging to issue penalty charge notices for anti-idling – further information on the numbers of PCNs would be provided following the meeting.

·         Further information would be provided on the availability of electrical points for vendors in parks.

·         Officers would consider the impact of modal filters in the vicinity of Perry Vale ward.

·         The intention of modal filtering was to discourage traffic from using residential roads and to choose active travel.

·         A number of diffusion tubes monitoring air quality were co-located with air quality analysers, which allowed for the adjustment of data from the tubes for potential bias.

·         Diffusion tubes were nonetheless an effective and cost-effective mechanism for monitoring air quality across the borough.

·         The Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) required councils to adjust data collected by diffusion tubes for bias.

·         The Council was required to report to DEFRA on its targets, but the Council was ambitious to meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) targets for air quality.

·         Further work could take place with businesses to share the message about the importance of switching engines off when cars were stationary (anti-idling)

·         There would be a number of upcoming opportunities to install new bike hangars. There was a cost to the Council to providing and maintaining cycle parking. Officers would further explore opportunities for funding.

·         There had been ten school air quality audits. A number of different recommendations had been made – including a number that could be implemented across all schools. Key themes would be assessed and provided to councillors.

·         It was recognised that the initial funding being provided for schools would be insufficient to make substantial changes, but it would be a start.

·         The ‘school super zone’ project had been initiated by the Greater London Authority – work had taken place at the first school in Lewisham to access this funding, to assess its needs. If the school identified air quality as an issue, then the super zone funding could be used to implement measures from the air quality audits.

4.3    In Committee discussions the following key points were also noted:

·         It is widely known that diffusion tubes were not accurate. The information on the Council website was also unclear about what it was monitoring and the difference between the WHO and DEFRA targets.

·         Officers should consult local people (including councillors) on the potential locations for cycle parking.

4.4    Councillor Krupski was invited the address the Committee – the following key points were noted:

·         Work was taking place with colleagues at Transport for London (TfL) to improve planting and greening on TFL managed roads.

·         Further work would take place to consider the electrification of access points for ice-cream vans in parks.

·         Improvements were being planned for monitoring levels of active travel.

·         Work was planned to retrofit schools as funding became available.

4.5    Resolved: that the report be noted. It was also agreed that:

·         The Committee would support the increased enforcement of anti-idling measures.

·         That information would be provided on the number of penalty charge notices issued for idling. Members would also welcome additional efforts with businesses to improve signage (particularly at supermarkets and train stations)

·         More information would be provided on plans to increase the availability of electrical points for vendors in parks (and that in future reports the effect on air quality should be considered).

·          That additional data would be provided on the impact of modal filters on air quality (e.g., on Bishopsthorpe and Silverdale Road)

·         That active travel should be prioritised, and that further funding should be sought for the implementation of new cycle hangars (not requiring public contributions)

·         More information would be provided on the outcome of air quality audits for schools;

·         That members would welcome further work on the interoperability of data on the Council website to enable comparison with neighbouring boroughs.