Air quality in Storrington – last chance to comment
31 Aug 2010
THE closing date for comments about the air quality in Storrington is fast approaching.
The public is being asked to respond to proposals to declare an Air Quality Management Area in the central area of Storrington and to give comments to Horsham District Council by 10 September.
There has been a good response to the consultation with over 50 comments already received. Officers from Horsham District Council’s Public Health and Licensing Department have attended meetings with the Parish Council and representatives of the Community Partnership, which have been useful for exchange of information.
Horsham District Council has a duty to review and assess air quality in the Horsham District on a regular basis and the results of recent detailed tests show that levels of Nitrogen Dioxide are likely to exceed the maximum allowed in central parts of Storrington, including West Street and the High Street.
The Government’s air quality objective for nitrogen dioxide is an annual average of 40 µg/m3 (microgrammes per cubic metre) whilst the highest annual measured level in Storrington was 51µg/m³ last year (2009).
In Storrington the air pollution is due to the large number of vehicles using the road, combined with the stop/start nature of driving conditions. Although these conditions may also occur in other parts of the District, action must be taken when amounts of air pollution are exceeded at locations with ‘relevant exposure’ i.e. places where people live, work or go to school.
Where an assessment indicates that air quality objectives are likely to be breached, the local authority must declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).
An AQMA is an area where the Council is aware that there is a problem with air quality. Once an AQMA has been declared the Council must draw up an Air Quality Action Plan showing how it will improve air quality.
As a result of this, an Action Plan will now be drawn up by Horsham District Council within the next 12-18 months to work towards reducing levels of Nitrogen Dioxide in Storrington.
As part of this Action Plan, Horsham District Council will be consulting with West Sussex County Council, the Parish Council, the Community Partnership and other interested parties. The public’s views about how air pollution could be reduced are also very welcome.
Comments can be made online using the comments form. For further information contact Lisa Hawtin, Environmental Protection Officer, Horsham District Council, Park House, North Street, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1RL
Email: lisa.hawtin@horsham.gov.uk
Tel: 01403 215200
Fax 01403 215461
The closing date for comments is Friday 10 September 2010.
Following consideration of the consultation responses the next stage is to prepare a report for Horsham District Council’s Cabinet. If approved, the Air Quality Management Area will need to be declared by means of an official Order agreed by the full meeting of Horsham District Council. After declaration of the AQMA work will begin on the Action Plan for Storrington with further consultation with all interested parties at that stage.
Ends
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk