MJACMJAC

Midland Joint Advisory Council for Environmental

Protection Founded 1928

Air Quality Update

27th March 2015Worcester

Chris.poole@worcsregservices.gov.uk T. 01527 548214

Air Quality Update

Topics

•LAQM Review Update•EU Infractions and LAQM Plan•AQ Grant Program and Funding opportunities•Environmental Audit Commission 3rd Report•EPUK / IAQM Planning Guidance

AQ Regional Coordinators Meeting at Defra 9th February 2015

LAQM Review

• Second stage of the LAQM Review Consultation 19/12/14 – 30/01/15

• Part 1 – Removal of Benzene, 1-3 Butadiene, Carbon monoxide, Lead.

• Part 2 - Consider a role in statutory guidance for LA’s to work towards reducing emissions of PM2.5;

-Replace Further & Detailed Assessments, USAs, Progress Reports with a single annual improvement ‘Status’ Report; (supported)

-Revise policy and technical guidance to provide greater clarity on roles and responsibilities of public bodies and good practice guidance including case examples on effective actions to address air quality.

•Generally all above supported

LAQM Review

• Concerns over intention to reduce monitoring indicated in cost savings in accompanying Impact Assessments document

• Next steps:

-Summary document of consultation response to follow

-No firm decisions made yet, considering regulatory changes

-Further consultation later in 2015 on Part 2 aspects

•NB Defra advise LA’s currently to not undertake Further Assessments and move directly to action planning

EU Infraction Fines

• European Commission formally launched infraction proceedings against the UK for breach of nitrogen dioxide limit values under the EU Air Quality Directive 2008/50 in February 2014.

• Under the discretionary power in Part 2 of the Localism Act, Central Government could require responsible LA’s to pay all, or part, of an infraction fine.

• EU Court of Justice case brought by Client Earth held on 19/11/2014 - ruled that the UK government can be ordered by national courts to draw up a plan to meet EU limit values for nitrogen dioxide asap

EU Infraction Fines

• Defra producing a National Air Quality Plan for submission to EC by end of 2015

• Aim 1 - How to deal with infraction itself

• Aim 2 – How improving air quality in UK including at LA level

• Defra EIR to LA’s on local action plans and progress in February 2015

• Defra will consult on plan later on in summer 2015

• Proposed amendments to National Emissions Ceilings Directive. Defra advise this will have no impact on the Commission’s infraction proceedings against the UK.

AQ Grant & Funding

• AQ Grant Program 2014/15 £1m

• 58 bids, 24 projects awarded between £9.5 – £150k

• LE strategies, LE feasibility studies, Bus & Freight projects, Research projects, Communications & engagement projects, Cycling initiatives, implementing AQ plans, Micro simulation studies (remove a type of vehicle from fleet)

• Examples: Bristol £30k to promote EV, Slough £42k for LES & guidance

• 2015/16 program likely early summer

• Highways Agency Roads Investment Strategy (Andrew Bean) £15b including £100m ringfenced AQ fund

• £30m Low Emission Bus Scheme from OLEV

Environmental Audit Commission Report

• Published in December 2014

Recommendations:

• Introduce a National Framework of Low Emission Zones;

• Close legal loopholes that allow mechanics firms to remove engine filter from HGVs; 

• Examine fiscal measures to gradually encourage a move away from diesel vehicles;

• Consider introducing a diesel scrappage scheme to help drivers switch to cleaner vehicles;

• Consider introducing financial incentives for a range of alternatively fuelled cars e.g. gas, electric

Environmental Audit Commission Report

• Apply pressure at European level to ensure effective EU legislation and 5 emission standards backed up by a robust testing regime

•The Government should identify best practice in managing bus fleet pollution and provide local transport authorities with guidance

•Include legal air quality obligations in new infrastructure and road building plans;

• Government should clarify role of central and local gov’t on management of air quality

• Institute a national public awareness and active travel campaign

• New Air Quality Strategy. Launch an independent public inquiry to look at the required action on air pollution;

Environmental Audit Commission Report

• Minister and Defra rejected

• Amending planning obligations

• Fiscal measures (car taxes)

• Public inquiry

• LEZ framework (but could be included in UK Plan for EC)

• Diesel scrappage scheme (but could be included in UK Plan for EC)

• Air Quality Strategy 2007 update possible

EPUK & IAQM Planning Guidance

• Launch of new planning guidance April 15th - ‘Land-Use Planning and Development Control: Planning for Air Quality’.

• IAQM Position Statement on Mitigation of Development Air Quality Impacts (in association with RPS group) on 29th January

• RPS – AQ Mitigation Hierarchy Wall Chart

• Chair of Clean Air in London (Simon Birkett) has resigned from working group because of differences (6th February)

Air Quality

•Meeting of air quality technical group members-Please get in contact if you would like to attend-Ideas for discussion and for future updates-chris.poole@worcsregservices.gov.uk