Agenda item

Report and presentation attached.

The Senior Public Health Strategist explained that there were a number of different air pollutants but that of particular concern were nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. As well as irritating the nose and eyes, particulate matter could cause stroke and was also linked to conditions such as bowel cancer, stomach cancer and asthma. This was a particular concern for groups such as young children, the elderly and people working outside regularly.

There were two continuous monitoring systems for air quality in the borough – located in Waterloo Road and on the A1306. Further systems would be installed outside North Street bus garage and at an additional location that was yet to be determined. Each system cost £3-6k per annum and this was funded from the TfL Local Implementation Plan.

Diffusion tubes were also used to measure air quality which were cheaper and quicker to install. Tubes were left up for 2-4 weeks and cost around £2,700 per annum. There were currently 61 different tubes installed in Havering. Havering had not exceeded the 1 hour mean for nitrogen dioxide nor the 24 hour mean for particulate matter. Any high levels of nitrogen dioxide were centred around main road networks. Predicted readings for 2020 were expected to improve but this made a number of assumptions about cleaner fuels and an increase in the numbers of electric cars. Overall air quality targets around Havering’s main road networks would not however be met by 2020.

Pollution hotspots in Havering included Romford Town Centre, Rainham, Rush Green, Gallows Corner and Roneo Corner. Whilst Havering did have better air quality than other parts of North East London, the borough did have very high car ownership levels.

Current work on air pollution included the introduction of four Public Space Protection Orders outside schools which allowed for £100 fines for illegal drop-offs in these areas. A phone app giving travel and pollution advice had been introduced at low cost to the council and electric vehicles had been introduced to the Council’s parks department. It was however too expensive to switch school buses etc to electric vehicles.

Air quality policies had been included in the Local plan and air quality projects were also part of the Youth Travel Ambassador Scheme. The Miles the Mole campaign to introduce air quality issues in schools had been a finalist in the national air quality awards.

An air quality action plan was due to be brought to Cabinet in December 2017 and other future plans included delivering schemes to promote sustainable travel such as walking, cycling and the use of public transport and working to incorporate energy usage and sustainable travel in development projects. Air quality monitoring would continue and cross-departmental working on air quality would be increased. It was noted however that air quality was a London-wide issue.

Officers agreed that it was important to avoid both speeding of cars and also idling of traffic in order to reduce pollution. Members felt that it was important that utility company works should be coordinated better with the Council’s highways department.

The Sub-Committee NOTED the report.