Exeter's air quality improves

And they're pre-covid figures too

Fewer areas of Exeter now have excessive nitrogen dioxide levels than in previous years, councillors have been told.

The city's annual Local Air Quality Management Report, a snapshot from 2019, shows the long term trend in nitrogen dioxide levels in the city is down.

Director David Bartram has told the ruling executive that fewer areas of the city now exceed the objective level than previous years, with only Alphington Street, parts of Livery Dole and Fore Street (Heavitree) and East Wonford Hill exceeding limits.

The city council works with Devon County Council to implement an air quality action plan, reduce car use and reduce the impact of poor air quality on health.

Cllr Duncan Wood said it will be interesting to see what difference the 2020 results will have as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the push towards more sustainable transport measures. He added though that often when bad results are reported, it is because the council is looking for them, as they place indicators in areas where things are likely to be bad.

Cllr Ollie Pearson added: “If the figures are same in 10 years, then that is not a good story for Exeter as we won’t be hitting the targets we have set ourselves. We need to go forward and make some really great progress to achieve the net zero targets.”

Leader of the council Cllr Phil Bialyk added: “I am proud of the actions we have taken and we are doing what we can to try and mitigate a lot of this and give reasonable alternatives, and if we carry on, we will make the change and the impact.”

He outlined 15 actions that Exeter City Council had taken and completed in their action plan, which included:

• A Physical Activity Strategy which aims at increased cycling and promoting active travel in everyday life
• The development for a radical active travel policy to be co-designed with staff
• Commencement of work on a scheme for battery storage linked to extended council solar panels which would be able to power electric refuse vehicles.
• Work on the new bus station continued, which will provide improved facilities for public transport users  
• Roll out of 60 new e-bikes to upgrade the  on-street cycle hire scheme and completion of the plans for a further 40 in 2020.

The executive committee agreed to note the report.