Improving air quality across the district
Winchester City Council has published a draft strategy (pdf, 4.2mb) for improving air quality and they are asking for people across the district to have their say.
The draft strategy outlines an approach to improving air quality which, if agreed, will then be used as a basis for a detailed action plan to improve air quality across the district.
It outlines the need to work collaboratively across the district and the wider region, to achieve cleaner air by 2030, making a commitment to go above and beyond UK national air quality targets.
The Winchester district is considered to be a green, clean and healthy part of the county but air quality is an invisible problem that can affect the health of residents. Policies which reduce air pollution will not only help to improve health, but also the environment.
The new strategy has been developed in partnership with the Air Quality Steering Group which includes cross-party councillors, specialist council officers and representatives for public health, the business community and the local environmental lobby.
It outlines 13 actions under five key areas that should be considered to improve air quality across the district. The strategy aims to increase awareness of air pollution and its causes, as well as defining the council’s commitment to improve air quality and identifying air quality challenges across the district.
Cabinet Member for Place and the Local Plan Cllr Jackie Porter said:
"Only by working together can we achieve our goal of improving air quality, it’s one of the most important things we can do to improve health for all our residents, particularly our children and grandchildren.
"We’re proud that air quality in Winchester city has improved over the last five years, but there is still more to do right across the district. Air pollution will have an impact on health and our environment, so we really want to hear what people think about these plans and to encourage anyone to get involved where they can”.
You can have your say at www.winchester.gov.uk/air-quality-strategy-survey.