Agenda item

An introduction by the Chairman, to this themed session on Air Quality in the Salisbury Community Area.

·       An overview from Public Protection on the Wiltshire perspective

·       The situation in Salisbury

·       Q & A session

·       Facilitated roundtable workshops and feedback

·       Summing Up & Next Steps

The Chairman gave an introduction to this themed session on Air Quality in the Salisbury Community Area.

The Board then received an overview from Public Protection on the Wiltshire perspective.

Presentation from John Carter, Head of Public Protection & Rachel Kent

There are clearly a number of air pollution issues around Salisbury. The new Clean Air strategy had been published last week by central Government.

Generally, the air quality for the majority of the county was good, however there were some areas where issues occurred. In Salisbury there was a nitrogen dioxide issue related to vehicle exhausts.

There were seven hotspots where air quality related to traffic, three of those were in Salisbury. Work with groups and other Officers, we look at ways to improve this, and work with Highways England on the trunk roads.

The three hotspot areas in Salisbury were; City Centre, London Road and Wilton Road.

Monitoring takes place over a 12 month period, we have around 80 sites across Wiltshire, if the sites do not show a high level of pollution after a year, we move the sites. We are also open to suggestions from parish councils and such for new sites.

Air Quality Management Group – Richard Bolton

There are a number of local issues which contribute to poor air quality. We have tried to identify current problems and hope people in attendance can come together to discuss some solutions.

Congestion Issues – The combination of the range of vehicles using the city centre on a daily basis, with the narrow pavements can make pedestrian movement uncomfortable.

It is difficult to establish dedicated cycle and bus lanes due to the lack of resources.

Avon Valley town path and shared path are busy. There are also places where the cycle routes come to an abrupt end.

There is a lack of awareness that trees and other vegetation make a vital benefit in urban environments.

Round table discussion

Those present were then asked to work in groups on tables to discuss the issues for Salisbury and to make suggestions on ways to tackle those issues. Following discussion, each table was asked to feedback 2 main points, these included:

• Safety and the integration of the public.
• Take up of Park and Ride too slow
• See improved pedestrian areas
• Reduced car spaces in the city centre
• Other modes of transport, closing streets and raising awareness.
• Removing private cars from the centre of the town, only allowing taxis and buses.
• Modal shift monitoring of all the different forms of transport to see whether things are changing.
• Improving traffic flow around Churchill Road and the inner ring road.
• Interactive signage, with regards to what is going on with air quality.
• Fleet buses and P&R not attractive to use, need late night service on Peters Finger service. No point to use buses when free to park or park easily.
• Free parking for electric vehicles in residential areas and at the P&R
• Problems with idling cars, when dropping people off. Could the traffic wardens give info out to those people to turn engines off.
• Upkeep of trees a problem, so encourage people to plant on their own land.
• School travel – there could be more car share and more school buses, with more after school clubs and sessions to spread out people collecting children.
• Traffic lights – not needed late at night in some areas.
• Coordinating road works, so not too many in one area, causing traffic jams.
• Convenience and time is a key factor in people’s decisions.
• Better continuous cycle ways. So people feel safe cycling. Benji Bikes – electric and cargo carrying.

The Chairman thanked everyone for all of the passion being shared on this topic. It was important to hear the new ideas. The Board would take all the points raised tonight to the AQMG and add them to the action plan.