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The completed action plan is available at:
http://www.croydon.gov.uk/environment/docsrep/polldocs/Rev_Ass/AQAP_1
Step 1: Assess Air Quality
In Croyden Step 1 was completed, and revealed
that the annual mean limit for NO2 was likely to be exceeded. All other
pollution limits were forecast to be below the relevant limits.
Step 2: Set up a Working Group
A working group was set up which included representatives from various
Municipal Departments, industry, environmental groups, and the local healthcare
agency. This group had a chair from an outside agency, a management consultant.
The group held 7 structured meetings which covered the following areas;
Meeting 1 –
Framework for group defined
Meeting 2 – Causes and consequences of air pollution
Meeting 3 – Local environmental issues, vehicle flows, dispersion of
pollution
Meeting 4 – Public transport issues
Meeting 5 – Evaluation of ideas suggested so far.
Meeting 6 – Looking at aids / obstacles to actions. Identifying actions
that Croyden Municipality can take, that National
government can take, that the Greater London Municipality (made up of Croyden and 32 other Municipal Authorities), and that the
providers of Public Transport (Largely Privatised in the UK) can take.
Meeting 7 – Selection of options to include in the action plan
Step 3: Identify Options to Reduce Levels of Priority Pollutants and
Step 4: Evaluate the Options
In Croyden 77 actions were identified that
would reduce levels of NO2 in the affected areas. Tables were produced listing
these actions, the party that would be responsible for implementing the action,
an intended completion date, a cost, and an expected impact in terms of NO2
reduction. For cost three categories were used. These were estimates of cost to
the Municipal Authority of ‘low’ (less than £1000), ‘medium’ (£1000 to £10 000)
and ‘high’ (more than £10 000). For the reduction in NO2 the categories were
‘low’ (a likely reduction in NO2 of less than 0.2microgrammes per cubic metre),
‘medium’ (a likely reduction of 0.2 to 1.0 microgrammes
per cubic metre) and ‘high’ (a likely reduction of more than 1.0 microgrammes per cubic metre).
The actions included roadside emissions testing of private vehicles,
supporting schools and businesses in the development of green travel plans,
reducing emissions from municipal vehicles, and restricting car parking. One of
the key issues was the introduction of a low emission zone. However, it was not
possible to implement this very significant project within the timescale
allowed by the UK government for action planning.
Therefore the action plan made the commitment to conduct the feasibility study
in co-operation with the other 32 Municipal Authorities in London. |