Issue - meetings

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

Presentations were received by the Cabinet Panel including from: 

·         Roger Pitman – Air Quality Consultant

·         Matthew Clark – Clean Air Programme Manager

Audio Recording-  13 minutes 30 seconds

The Chair invited Matthew Clark, Clean Air Programme Manager, to give a presentation.

Mr Clark thanked the Chair and gave a presentation, with slides and advised:

·       Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) had a commitment to clean air. There were currently 22 Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in Hertfordshire, which are areas likely to exceed legal pollution levels.

·       In Hertfordshire, Nitrogen Dioxide levels exceeded the legal limit by 40%. Vehicle use was the biggest contributor to this.

·       Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) exceeded the legal limit of 10?g in some areas of Hertfordshire.

·       PM2.5 levels had significant and long-term impacts on health and exposure had been linked to certain cognitive impairments such as Dementia, skin conditions, lower sperm quality and was also known to both cause and exacerbate respiratory illnesses such as Asthma and COPD.

·       Off the back of The Environment Act 2021, the UK Government had set a target of 10?g of PM2.5 as an annual average by 2040.

·       Transport accounted for over 70% of PM2.5 in Hertfordshire with construction, manufacturing and domestic burning also contributing.

·       HCC were currently running a part DEFRA funded communications campaign, called ‘Lets Clear the Air’.

·       The campaign included new graphics being added to buses in Hertfordshire to combat Car Idling, as well as posters to discourage Fuel Burning. Information the public of a free Air Pollutant Alert service run by HCC was also added.

·       HCC was also in the final development stages of producing a county-wide Air Quality Model. The Model will give Nitrogen Dioxide, Particulate, and Carbon emission predictions across Hertfordshire, and would provide a baseline for pollutants across the county. The model would also give residents a clear view of what air quality would look like in 15 years if no action is taken.

·       This Air Quality Model would be available for all districts and boroughs in Hertfordshire.

·       HCC had also produced a comprehensive Air Quality Action Prioritization map of the North Hertfordshire District. This map would be of use to groups such as the County Council’s Targeted Highway Urban Tree Planting team.

·       HCC continued to act against air pollution through measures such as considering such as cleaner air action, air purification trials and AGMA management schemes.

·       In addition to this, the Countryside and Rights of Way had approved and prioritised the planning of a new active-travel off-road route for the Highfield school in Letchworth. The route would reduce the exposure children have to air pollution from the main road.

·       Further information can be found on ‘Let’s clear the air’ webpages.

The following Members and members of the public asked questions:

·       Roger Lovegrove

·       John Webb

·       Gilly Chegwyn

·       Councillor Gerald Morris

·       Councillor Steve Jarvis

In response to the questions, Mr Clark advised:

·       The PM2.5 pollution guideline limit was currently set at 2.5 microns and below. As of 2021, the legal limit in the UK for PM2.5 pollution was 10?g per cubic meter, which must be achieved by 2040. There was no safe level for particulate pollution.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60