The Committee
received a report presented by the Executive Board Member for
Public Protection on the Air Quality Delivery Plan –
Consultation which provided an update on the work undertaken in respect of Air
Quality in Carmarthenshire, and to consult on the draft Air Quality
Delivery plan.
The following
questions/issues were raised on the report:-
- In response to a
query raised on ‘Introduce a School Street’ as stated
within measure G10 of the Plan, the Pollution and Wellbeing Lead
clarified that this measure was currently being considered by the
Highway and Transportation department.
It would encompass the introduction of a series of measures to
improve the air quality around the school area such as introducing
restricted road traffic entries to a specific area, including
drop-off, pick-up and anti-idling
area. In addition, the Executive Board
Member for Public Protection stated that the Active Travel Plan
would also support the cleaner environment by way of encouraging
more walking and cycling to schools.
- In response to a
query raised regarding when the Tywi
Valley Path would be opened to the public, the Executive Board
Member for Environment reported that Jonathan Edwards MP had
applied for funding from the Levelling Up Fund on behalf of
Carmarthenshire County Council towards the Tywi Valley Path and that development work
continued.
- With the
encouragement of more people walking in the countryside, concern
was raised that shared footpaths were
being locked and which presented legal issues. It was asked if there was a timescale to resolve
the issues? The Executive Board Member
for Environment stated that this matter was being managed by the
Public Rights of Way department who in the first instance work to
resolve matters with respective landowners prior to issuing
enforcement notices. The Head of
Highways added that legal processes were often a lengthy
process.
- An observation was
raised that the plan included many ideas from behavioural change
behaviours to large capital projects which both presented
challenges.
- In reference to
measure G20 - Consider a Feasibility study for Low Emission Zones,
it was asked what would this look like and how would it
work? The Pollution and Wellbeing Lead
stated that this was currently being considered as part of the
Clean Air (Wales) Bill, the consultation on the Bill had now closed
and that the summary of response document would be available in
September 2021. Therefore, more detail
in relation to low emission zones would be available on the
publication of the document, however it was important to dedicate a
measure to this in order to ensure that
this matter was explored.
- Reference was made
to measure C11 – ‘Install AQMA signage’ further clarification was
sought on what this entailed and would it provide an option to
inform the public with information on air quality in
real-time. The Pollution
and Wellbeing Lead stated that in relation to signage, it was
important to exercise caution in terms of the messages to the
public to avoid causing unnecessary alarm. It was recognised that individuals with
pre-existing health conditions who reside and visit the 3
recognised areas could benefit from receiving such information,
however the difficulties lay with data protection and
confidentiality. It was identified that in
order to overcome some of these barriers and find a solution
to present information on air quality to individuals it would be
necessary start a dialogue with Public Health Wales and other
bodies.
In response to a
query raised in relation to lane closures on dual carriageways and
the utilisation of the zip merging method in
order to cut down idling and shorten queue time, the Head of
Highways and Transportation stated that the Traffic Management
system utilised on the high-speed roads was designed to protect the
workers and the public in terms of safety. Signs to encourage drivers to utilise both lanes
were utilised, however it was acknowledged that queues still
form. The Head of Highways and
Transportation stated that he would liaise with the Trunk Road team
within the Welsh Government to explore the possibility of using zip
merging with a view to improve air quality.
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that:-
8.1 the work undertaken in
respect of Air Quality in Carmarthenshire be noted;
8.2 the Committees comments be
included within the draft Air Quality Delivery plan
consultation.