Agenda item

Rachel Sadler, Specialist Advisor (Air Quality), introduced the report which provided the 2023 Annual Air Quality Status report for Lewes District, including data on the two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) within the administrative boundary of Lewes District. During discussion, the following points were highlighted:

·       The objectives for air quality testing were being met, in that the monitoring carried out was in line with the requirements of the local air quality management regime (LAQM). There was small reduction in nitrogen dioxide nationally, with tailpipe emissions from vehicles reducing.  

·       As well as producing the Annual Status Report (ASR), the Council was required to update its Air Quality Action Plan. There was currently an air quality management area in Lewes and the nitrogen dioxide levels in parts of Lewes initially showed as exceeding the national standards and objectives. However, because of the type of monitoring equipment used in some parts of Lewes, an annual adjustment was required, and along with further analysis, the levels within the objectives at the nearest sensitive receptors (i.e the façade of the nearest commercial property).

·       The updating of the action plan had been delayed due to Covid19 and other factors, which meant the monitoring undertaken was not fully representative of what was expected, and the data could not accurately be used for modelling the prediction of future levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter.

·       The United Kingdom objectives for air quality were not currently aligned with the World Health Organisation (WHO) objectives, including hose that related to ultra-fine particulates, which carried a higher health risk. A number of London councils and the neighbouring authority to Lewes, Brighton and Hove City Council had chosen to align their objectives with WHO and it was suggested that Lewes District Council could have similar aspirations and this could be included in the Action Plan as a goal.

·       Air pollution and sustainability were closely linked. Air pollution looked at greenhouse gases but focused on pollutants that impacted only on human health. Carbon dioxide emissions did not impact directly in this area but were a greenhouse gas. 50% of particulate matter in Lewes originated from outside its boundaries and although the Council was unable to directly influence this occurrence in isolation, it would continue working with other local authorities and lobbying government for legislative change. Any sustainability strategy should look at air pollution.  

·       It was confirmed that monitoring of the nitrogen dioxide levels in Fisher Street, Lewes, showed a decreasing trend over the previous six years. The reconfiguration of bus stops on School Hill, Lewes, had likely resulted in buses travelling at a lower speed and was impacting the trend there. The retrofitting of Brighton & Hove buses to zero or low emission engines would help. The A259 air quality management area was challenging, with Newhaven identified as a growth area, with large developments potentially coming forward and adding an increase in vehicles to an already congested area. A multi organisational approach was needed, including the County Council and planners. Introducing air quality directives were also a challenge and required resourcing, although other port authorities were introducing green initiatives, and this was an area that could be explored for Newhaven. The installation of a new sulphur dioxide monitor, in the new monitoring station, was being progressed and sulphur dioxide diffusion tubes were being installed in and around Newhaven. 

Resolved to note the report.