Agenda item

To receive proposals for an Air Quality Action Plan for Witney and consider entering a consultation response to West Oxfordshire District Council.

Documents can be found here:

https://yourvoice.westoxon.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/aqap-chipping-norton-and-witney

The Committee welcomed the consultation on the Witney Air Quality Action Plan, noting the last AQMA report was in 2005. Members  asked that that the following comments be submitted:

·        Requirement for more data on vehicle types passing through Witney.

·        Survey of Log burning stoves to discover the level that are exempt from the list of non-desirable devices.

·        Survey of the level of engine idling, hotspots and for anti-idling to be highly prioritised within the framework

·        A visual display to be erected to show real time carbon emissions in congested areas, such as Bridge Street in order to increase public awareness.

Members also noted that there weren’t references to help reduce the reliance on polluting generators for mobile food outlets, like ice cream vans and coffee vans. The District Council promoted street vendors within the town, however these traders often had generators that were detrimental to air quality in the area. There were newer, less polluting technologies available, and this plan should be encouraging that.

Overall, members felt this was a good start after several year hiatus and they encouraged focused goal and target setting along with raising awareness.

Resolved

1.      That, the report be noted and

2.      That, a response be submitted outlining the above comments and

3.      That, individual members were encouraged to submit a personal response.