The air quality action plan sets out how the council will work to improve air quality across the borough over the next few years.
Swale currently has five air quality management areas (AQMAs) - East Street, St Pauls, Newington, Teynham and Ospringe - where levels of nitrogen dioxide are above the annual mean objective of 40ug/m3.
The approved plan contains measures to help the council focus resources to deliver improvements in air quality - seven borough-wide strategic measures, and five local measures focussed within each AQMA.
The measures in the plan include HGV restrictions, school and business travel plans and action to tackle pinch point parking.
Now that the plan is approved, a feasibility study can take place to set out the costs of the measures, to make sure the plan is viable, and recommend how it can be implemented most effectively.
The feasibility study will likely focus on the A2 corridor from Brenley Corner up to the council boundary west of Newington.
Cllr Tim Valentine, cabinet member for environment, said:
“The plan outlines how we move towards a borough with cleaner air, particularly along the A2 corridor where air pollution is at its worst.
We are committed to working with residents to reduce air pollution and secure a healthier environment to live.
Following two months of consultation with the public last year and approval by cabinet in March, we submitted our plans to DEFRA in April 2019.
Now the plans are signed off we are one step closer to a cleaner, greener borough, and can get to work tendering for the feasibility study early next year.
We have declared a climate crisis and have ambitious plans to tackle air pollution, not just in the action zones, but across the wider borough.”
For further information on air quality within the borough, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/air-quality
Swale Borough Council
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