Agenda item

The Executive was informed that the National Air Quality Plan for Nitrogen Dioxide set out how the Government would ensure that compliance with air quality limits was achieved in the shortest time possible. A key part of the Plan was a requirement on some local authorities to undertake feasibility studies to explore a range of measures to improve air quality.

The Council had been named in the Plan as one of the authorities needing to undertake a feasibility study. Computer modelling had shown that along parts of the A331 concentrations of nitrogen dioxide were predicted to exceed the annual mean objective for nitrogen dioxide. As a result, the Council had been directed by the Secretary of State for the Environment to produce a feasibility study by March 2018 on options for ensuring compliance with the air quality objectives on the A331 in the shortest period possible.

The Government had allocated the Council an initial grant of £50,000 for the feasibility study which would be carried out in partnership with Rushmoor and Guildford Borough Councils. The funding would enable the Council to develop its feasibility study proposal as well as conduct local assessments to support its evidence and local understanding which will form part of the proposal. This funding represented one tranche of the funding required for the feasibility study and did not prejudge further bids. Any further funds required would be subject to the approval and submitted by the Council for review by Defra’s Assurance Panel.

RESOLVED to

(i)          undertake a feasibility study to explore a range of measures to ensure compliance with the air quality objectives in the shortest time possible, to be funded from a grant of £50,000 allocated by the Government; and

(ii)        note the 2017 Annual Air Quality Status report for Surrey Heath.