Fareham extends air quality consultation

Fareham council has extended the consultation on its plans to address air pollution in the borough, due to a high level of engagement from residents on the proposals.

The consultation highlights 11 possible measures the council could implement to reduce Nitrogen Dioxide levels and will now run until 15 October.

Fareham council has outlined its proposals for improving air quality

The borough is seeking to meet the December deadline to submit proposals to government as to how it intends to meet the 40ugm3 legal limit on NO2, having been named within the government’s NO2 as having to assess options to comply within the soonest possible timeframe.

According to the council, the area most likely to be affected by non-compliant NO2 levels exists along the stretch of road from Delme roundabout through Eastern and Western Way and onto the A27 by Fareham Train station, including the A32 Market Quay through and onto the A27 Portchester Road.

Among the 11 measures being considered is a Clean Air Zone, which would potentially involve charging the drivers of older, more polluting vehicles to drive in parts of the borough.

However, the council has stated that it favours alternative options to a Clean Air Zone — in part due to the difficulty in implementing the measure before 2020 (see airqualitynews.com story).

Options

Among these options is work to tackle bus, coach and taxi emissions through a retrofit programme. Around 25 buses which operate within the affected area could be updated from Euro V to Euro VI standard to help bring about improvements in air quality, the council believes.

Additionally, the council will seek to improve cycling and walking infrastructure to reduce the number of short car trips made within the borough.

Improvements in electric vehicle charging infrastructure and a fleet recognition scheme have also been identified as potential options for implementation.

Cllr Trevor Cartwright, Fareham’s executive member for health and public protection, said: “Air quality is a national issue and it’s good to see so many people engaging with the conversation about it on a local level.

“How clean our air is affects the health and wellbeing of everyone and by extending the deadline for feedback on these measures we hope as many people as possible will be able to have their say.”

Related Links
Fareham CAZ consultation