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Minutes of the Previous Meeting (including matters arising) PDF 35 KB To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 20th November, 2014 and to deal with any matters arising, attached. Additional documents:
Minutes: RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 20th November be approved and signed as a correct record. |
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Report of the Assistant Chief Executive setting out the areas that have already been considered by the Panel in order to assist in formulating findings and recommendations, attached. Additional documents: Minutes: The Panel considered the report of the Assistant Chief Executive giving an overview of the evidence received at previous meetings of the Inquiry.
Dr Beth Conlan, Business Manager at Ricardo-AEA, was in attendance and gave a presentation on the results of the feasibility study that was carried out in relation to a low emission zone (LEZ) on the Western Approach.
Dr Conlan explained that the study had been commissioned by the City Council, as there had been a failure to meeting the air quality targets. Ricardo-AEA had undertaken many similar studies for other local authorities as failure to meet the targets was not just isolated to Southampton.
The source of the emissions was looked at. Road transport was part of this, which was expected, however in Southampton another major factor was the port activities in this area. Any solution to the problems would have to include both sources for emissions in order to produce a result.
Charts presented showed the breakdown of the emissions in the areas in and around the Western Approach. And indicating where the levels were too high.
The study identified that the cost of introducing a LEZ would outweigh the benefits. The natural changes/renewal of vehicles to models which comply with emission standards would achieve the results without the cost implications to the Authority. Therefore the study concluded that a Low Emissions Strategy (LES) should be introduced rather than a LEZ.
Dr Conlan reported that some authorities were thinking about progressing with LEZ, however, these were authorities that had established low emission strategies and were therefore further along the route.
Mr Steve Guppy, Southampton City Council, Scientific Services, stated that they would continue to pursue a LES and that a grant had been received from DEFRA to allow work to start.
The following points/responses were given: · Comparisons to other cities with major ports had not been looked at. Work had been undertaken at Liverpool, but not recently enough to be able to make use of it. · Concerns were raised that the evidence data was gathered at a time during the recession when the port was not operating at the capacity that it was now. · Evidence suggested that the new Euro VI engine was considerably better than Euro V. · It was reiterated that pollution levels in Southampton were considerably better than faced by many other cities. · If a LEZ was introduced it would most likely be monitored through cameras and number plate recognition. If vehicles were compliant then fines would be issued. In London the fine was currently £200 per day. In Germany there was a national standard, with vehicles displaying a sticker to confirm they comply. This was then enforced by traffic wardens. · Revenue from fines was factored into the study, together with the implementation costs and possible savings to public health. An aim would be to make the scheme cost neutral. If successful with lowering pollution then there would be a cost to enforce the scheme as fewer vehicles would be non-compliant. · Options of ... view the full minutes text for item 18. |
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Woodland Trust - Urban Air Quality Report PDF 25 KB Report of the Assistant Chief Executive giving details of a report on urban air quality produced by the Woodland Trust, attached.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Panel noted the report of the Assistant Chief Executive giving details of the report produced by the Woodland Trust in 2012 on urban air quality. |