Issue - meetings

          The Board received a report from the Director of Public Health which provided an update on proposals to revoke the current air quality management areas in Widnes Town Centre. 

          Halton’s Air Quality Management Areas were declared in 2011 when routine monitoring identified exceedances of the Nitrogen Dioxide limits.  This was a result of town centre congestion in Widnes and emissions from road vehicles.  Since then, there had been notable improvements in traffic flows through the town centre as a result of the Mersey Gateway Bridge and the
re-opening of the Silver Jubilee Bridge.  Further actions included changes to sequencing of traffic lights to reduce congestion as well as improvements in vehicle emission technology which had also contributed to the reduced levels.

          The Board noted the information outlined in the report which demonstrated the improvement in air quality between 2011 to date and also the sustained improvement in air quality over the last 5 years.

          Given the improvements to air quality, it was proposed to revoke the air quality management areas and approval would be sought from Executive Board.  It was also suggested that a 4 week public consultation be carried out in March 2023 where the public would be invited to submit comments to a dedicated air quality mailbox.  Further information would be made available on the Council’s website and consultation would be publicised via media channels. 

          The Board would receive a further report on the outcome of the public consultation in due course. 

          RESOLVED:  That the proposal to proceed with a public consultation be endorsed.