Residents, businesses and visitors are being given the chance to have their say on proposals to improve air quality in Worcester.
Public consultations have been launched on two draft plans for the city, one designed to improve the current quality of air and the other to ensure that future building does not have a negative impact on the quality of the air that people breathe in Worcester.
Have your say now on both air quality plans.
A draft Air Quality Action Plan has been prepared to tackle high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the city’s atmosphere, mainly caused by road vehicles. Exposure to excessive amounts of NO2 can damage human health.
The proposed steps in the draft action plan include support for the take-up of electric vehicles, measures to boost cycling and other forms of active travel, improvements to the environmental efficiency of the City Council’s vehicles, a reduction in the number of lorries in the city centre and more.
The draft action plan does not include any proposals to introduce a charging zone for petrol or diesel vehicles in Worcester.
The second consultation is being run in partnership with Wychavon and Malvern Hills councils, which have jointly prepared a draft Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).
The SPD provides guidance on how new homes and other buildings can be constructed over the coming years in a manner which does not add to air quality issues in Worcester and south Worcestershire.
Councillor Karen Lewing, Vice Chair of Worcester City Council’s Environment Committee, said: “Poor air quality can have a negative effect on both people and our environment, leading to increased potential for illness and, in cases where someone suffers long-term exposure to heavily polluted air, death.
“That is why it is so important that we put the right measures in place to tackle this issue now and into the future.
“I would encourage everyone who lives or works in Worcester, or who enjoys visiting our beautiful city, to have their say in these two consultations at www.worcester.gov.uk/voiceit.”
The Air Quality Action Plan consultation runs until 15 September, while the deadline for the Air Quality SPD consultation is 4 September.
Anyone without internet access can collect printed copies of the two consultations at the Guildhall in High Street or call 01905 722233 to request one.
