Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Environmental Health Services.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 10 March 2009 and their comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Environmental Health Services was submitted, seeking approval of the Exeter Air Quality Strategy 2009-2014, and informing Members of the air quality monitoring and management undertaken by the Council.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 10 March 2009 and the support and comments of Members were noted.  Executive noted concerns expressed in relation to air quality in the Sidwell Street area and the reference to the report to the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee on 29 January 2009 on the issue.

Executive resolved to adopt the Exeter Air Quality Strategy 2009-14.

The report of the Head of Environmental Health Services was submitted, seeking approval of the Exeter Air Quality Strategy 2009-2014, and informing Members of the air quality monitoring and management undertaken by the Council.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 10 March 2009 and the support and comments of Members were noted.  Executive noted concerns expressed in relation to air quality in the Sidwell Street area and the reference to the report to the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee on 29 January 2009 on the issue.

RESOLVED that the Exeter Air Quality Strategy 2009-14 be adopted.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Environmental Health Services – report circulated.

The Head of Environmental Health Services presented the report seeking approval of the Exeter Air Quality Strategy 2009 -14 and informing Members of the air quality monitoring and management undertaken by the Council.

In response to a Member referring to queues of over half an hour at the Marsh Barton recycling centre, the Head of Environmental Health Services confirmed that there were no air pollution monitoring stations at the recycling centre. The sampling points were along the main arterial routes into the City. A Member also referred to the increasing congestion along Sidwell Street, particularly on Saturdays, since the change in traffic management arrangements along this street and Paris Street, including tail backs on occasions from the Odeon roundabout to the Debenhams building. Members asked if there were any comparative figures for this area in respect of air quality before and after the change in traffic management.

The Head of Environmental Health Services stated that there were a network of 61 air pollution monitors, along with computer models, to assess air quality in Exeter. Air traffic pollution was more of a concern where residential houses abutted busy roads. This was not the case in Sidwell Street, where residential properties were above the retail units and set back from the road. He undertook to find out whether data was available in respect of air quality before and after the change in traffic flow in this area and whether any of the monitoring stations were located in the vicinity of Sidwell Street. He confirmed that the County Council had been involved in the formulation of the Air Quality Action Plan.

Members were referred to a report on the Paris Street/Sidwell Street traffic management arrangements considered at the meeting of the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee on 29 January 2009.

Scrutiny Committee - Community supported the report and requested Executive to approve the Exeter Air Quality Strategy 2009 - 14 for adoption by Council.

(Report circulated)