Alsager: Residents urged to air their views on the council's updated air quality strategy

By The Editor

30th Apr 2024 | Local News

Cheshire East Council is asking for residents to give their views on the council's updated air quality strategy.

Air quality across the borough is generally very good but there are a few small areas – often where traffic is heavier – where there are concerns that the council is addressing through its air quality management programme.

There are twelve Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) across the borough. These AQMAs were declared due to an excess of nitrogen dioxide from vehicle emissions.

While vehicular emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution within the borough, it is not the only contributing factor. Therefore, the air quality strategy highlights other sources of emissions, such as domestic, industrial and agricultural activities, and sets out the council's approach to these emission sources. =

Cheshire East Council is now undertaking a review of the strategy and would like your views on the proposed draft Air Quality Strategy for 2024-2029.

There is a statutory requirement for all local authorities to have an air quality strategy.

The aim of the strategy is to support the achievement of the air quality objectives and to ensure air quality is considered within a wide range of local government and regional planning frameworks, such as the Local Transport Plan. It aims to drive greater improvements in air quality at the local level and is reviewed on a five-yearly basis.

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, said: "Although there are no major changes planned in terms of the overall approach that the council intends to take, the input of residents is very important to us, as we know they are in the best position to advise us of any concerns they may have from a hyper local perspective.