Air Quality Action Plan Consultation

Our first air quality action plan was triggered primarily to address the air quality concerns associated with our first Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) declared along a stretch of the A127, Prince Avenue, Southend in November 2016. Our second AQMA was declared at Victoria Avenue in 2020. The AQMAs are our first priority, but the secondary purpose of the action plan is to address air quality across the whole Borough.

Air pollution is associated with a number of adverse health impacts. It is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer. Additionally, air pollution particularly affects the most vulnerable in society: children and older people, and those with heart and lung conditions. There is also often a strong correlation with equalities issues, because areas with poor air quality are also often the less affluent areas.

The Council is committed to reducing the exposure of people in the Borough to poor air quality in order to improve health.

This action plan has been written to align with and reflect the corporate 2050 vision and key aims which are “Pride and Joy,” “Safe and Well”, “Active and Involved”, “Opportunity and Prosperity” and “Connected and Smart”.

The main focusses are:

• Strategic Transport and Land Use Planning
• Connected and Smart Cities
• Public Health and Community Engagement
• Climate Resilience and Sustainable Innovation

We recognise that there are a large number of air quality policy areas that are outside of our influence such as vehicle emissions standards agreed in Europe, but for which we may have useful evidence, and so we will continue to work with regional and central government on policies and issues beyond the Borough Council’s direct influence.

The emphasis of the plan is to develop measures that will provide the necessary emissions reductions to achieve the air quality objectives within specified timescales. The plan also attempts to address air quality issues by a wider, cross Borough approach, focussing on prevention rather than just tackling hot-spots. It outlines the actions we will take to try to improve air quality in the Borough between 2021 and 2025.

The consultation runs until **12th August 2021** and is open to all residents and businesses living or trading in the Borough.

Let us know your views.

Thank you for your time in providing your views.