Agenda item

Context

To consider the role of Environmental Health in relation to air quality in the county. To highlight the current work undertaken including the ways other agencies are engaged to seek improvements.

Key Issues

Air Quality is a key influencing factor on public health, and an important part of the work Environmental Health do to protect public health. There has been increased media and government attention given to air quality in recent years.

Air pollution results from the introduction of a range of substances into the atmosphere from a wide variety of sources. It can cause both short term and long term effects on health, but also on the wider environment.

Government statistics estimate that air pollution in the UK reduces the life expectancy of every person by an average of 7–8 months, with an associated cost of up to £20 billion each year.

Legislation and Policies aiming to minimise and track the impact of air pollution on health and the environment have been introduced in Europe, the UK and Wales.

Generally air quality in Monmouthshire is good, however there are some areas of concern in Usk, Chepstow, Monmouth and Abergavenny due to road transport emissions, where houses are close to busy or congested roads. Bridge Street in Usk and Hardwich Hill in Chepstow have exceeded the UK’s objective levels for nitrogen dioxide, and have therefore been declared Air Quality Management Areas.

Environmental Health monitor, review and assess air quality in Monmouthshire, and work with the Planning Authority, Highways, Welsh Government, Town and Community Councils and other local stakeholders to work towards improving local air quality. Integral to this Environmental Health report on current air quality conditions in the county, which is assessed by Welsh Government and is available on the Council’s website, write the Action Plans for air quality management areas, and facilitate steering group meetings for the stakeholders involved in delivering the actions to improve air quality. The presentation will help gain further insight into the work being done, the reasons why and future challenges to secure against potential increases in pollution arising from new developments, infrastructure etc and ensure that air quality improvements are long-lasting.

Member Scrutiny

The Chair thanked officers for the presentation adding that a preview of the slides would have been beneficial.  She asked that the slides be circulated to Members following the meeting.

A Member asked for clarification on the five areas of the County being considered for speed limits.  Officers confirmed these were across Wales rather than Monmouthshire, and included the M4 reducing to 50mph in parts.

Frustrations were expressed around air quality problems across the County that remain unresolved.  Officers agreed with the comment and noted the need for a Government wide approach.

We heard that the Chepstow Steering Group are working with WG, Forest of Dean Environmental Health and Gloucestershire Highways, with input from planning sections.  A Member asked the effect of the building of houses on the Mabey Bridge site, and we heard air quality reports from the developer tend to prove impact would be negligible, however there were concerns of the cumulative impact of a number of developments.

A Member asked how well the bodies react to the information provided.  The Environmental Health Officers explained that they chair the Air Quality Steering Groups and present data.  The stakeholders at these groups engage with the issues under discussion.  It is Environmental Health’s role to carry out the monitoring and present the data, along with proposals.  Welsh Government have attended regularly as a result of officers input.  Inevitably resources and funding are often an issue.

In response to a question we heard that Usk and Chepstow areas were identified in 2005 with a peak in 2008, and air qualities have been improving since, probably as a result of improved vehicle technology.  In terms of future issues, Officers were concerned about the additional developments in Chepstow and Merthyr Road in Abergavenny, due to the developments in Llanfoist.

A Member expressed interest and asked if there is a Monmouth Steering Group he could join. It was explained that Monmouth had not been declared as an air quality management area.

A Member referred to the problem in Usk, and suggested this could be resolved by traffic management and double yellow lines at the exit of the town.

Recommendations

To receive and comment on the presentation provided titled ‘Air Quality in Monmouthshire’.

Committee Conclusion