Colchester businesses asked to contribute to air quality strategy

Businesses asked to provide information about frequency and timings of deliveries to inform air quality strategy

Colchester borough council has asked businesses to contribute to a survey on delivery patterns to help inform its air quality strategy.

Colchester council is asking for information on deliveries to businesses around areas affected by poor air quality

The council is currently undertaking an Air Quality baseline emission study which will support the development of the boroughs Air Quality Action Plan, and is seeking information on all of the vehicles using the borough’s roads.

Respondents are asked to provide a number of details over their delivery patterns, including the frequency and timings of deliveries and how many vehicles are used.

Councillor Paul Smith, portfolio holder for business and resources, said: “Businesses need deliveries to service their customers and we want to work proactively with them to find out where there are problems, and we’ll look for practical solutions for the future, which we hope will also help the air quality in the area.

“We encourage as many businesses as possible to respond accurately as this will give us better information to work with to inform decisions.”

AQMA

Over the last few years several roads within Colchester town centre have been declared as Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). These areas have all exceeded the National and European guidance values for Nitrogen Dioxide levels (the pollutant principally associated with vehicle emissions).

Commenting on the survey, Linda White from the Road Haulage Association, said: “We are pleased that the council are reviewing the delivery and servicing arrangements in the town centre.

Understanding today’s businesses’ delivery needs will help inform solutions to address the air quality problem. We recognise that improving air quality will make the town centre a better place to be, helping businesses to succeed.”

In August, the owner of a stationary shop in the town said he had been forced to close his business after 46 years due to the damage on his health from traffic pollution in the area.

As a result, Steve Miller — the owner of MillerStationary — called for on Essex county council to reintroduce the 18-month trial ban on through traffic in Colchester town centre and 700 signatories in support. 24-hr bus lanes, which had been scrapped in April 2013, were then reintroduced by the council (see airqualitynews.com story).

Councillor Martin Hunt, portfolio holder for street and waste services, said: “The Council is committed to working with Essex County Council to improve air quality in the town. This is a positive step for Colchester and is an example of how the two councils are taking steps to find practical solutions to address air quality in the town and improve the local environment for residents and visitors alike.”