Agenda item

The Committee welcomed the following witnesses to the major review witness session:

Car parking charges

The Committee was provided with details on differential parking charges for different vehicles (diesel/petrol/electric). There were several local authorities with different schemes ranging from free parking permits for low emission vehicles to increased surcharges for diesel vehicles.

Officers outlined details of the work done in Merton Council which considered Merton's Air Quality Parking Project. Some of the changes introduced included permits issues to residents or business being subjected to a surcharge if they were issued to diesel engine vehicle. A reduced fee being introduced for permits for residents that used electric vehicles.

The Committee discussed the possibility of introducing a similar system. It was acknowledged that the London Borough of Hillingdon has a number of industries that used diesel and homeowners that used diesel cares. This was national issues which needed to be implemented all over the country. There was also a concern that residents on low income would be affected as they may not be able to afford to replace to replace a diesel car.

Focus areas and monitoring strategies

The Committee was provided with detailed information on air quality monitoring around the Borough.  Maps were also provided at the meeting to assist Members to visualise the coverage.

Discussion took place and it was reported that the south of the Borough had the most continue monitoring. A method that could be used to monitor air quality was through the use of diffusion tubes. Focus areas were identified which included Hayes and Ruislip. The most vulnerable area affected by pollution were deprived areas.

Discussion also took place around whether traffic lights and roundabouts caused more pollution. It was reported that if the speed was low emissions tended ot be higher but a number of factors were taken into place. Results about air quality in focus areas were shared with the planning departments. There was a general concensus that in order to manage this issues national the government and manufacturers needed to work together. There was no assumption that Hillingdon could get rid of pollution but have strong strategies in place to manage pollution.

Public Health implications of poor air quality

The Committee was provided with information on the impacts of air pollution on health.

It was reported that there were a number of pollutants but the main ones of concerns were particulars, ground level ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide. The health impacts were diverse in that there could short term, long terms effects. A number of proven effective strategies were in place to manage pollution which included the reduction of emission from coal fired power plans, banning the use of polluting fuels in urban centres and improvements to access public transportation.

Discussion took place on how the Borough could best manage this issue and it was reported that ending the sale of new concentration petrol and diesel cars could help and reducing the emissions of damaging air pollutants.

Local Authority Pollution, Prevention and Control

The Committee heard information on the industries that are regulated to reduce pollution and the relevant legislation applicable. It was reported that the permits were issued to set controls and emission standards to minimise pollution from certain industrial activities. The main source of toxic air pollutants from dry cleaners was the solvent used in the cleaning process. Details were provided about how perchloroethylene polluted the environment.

Council's Fleet of vehicles and reductions in energy

The Committee was provided with information on the Council's fleet of vehicles and reductions in energy. It was informed that the Council spent approximately £500k on electricity in the civic centre. In June led lighting was implement in the Civic centre which replaced 1,100 fittings and was projected to save the Council £29 k per annum.

The Council was working with its energy suppliers to updareg its meeting infrastructure with new automatic meter reading meters. This would assist in reducing emissions from vehicles. New building porfewcion also had to meet energy efficient requirements.

A new fleet manager had also been appointed. LED streetlights were also being implemented which would reduced emissions. Overall CRC emissions had fallen by 19% since the 2014-2015 reporting year.  

RESOLVED –

1.    That the witnesses be thanked for the evidence submitted and the information be used as part of the review.