An Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) for addressing air pollution in Portsmouth has been unveiled.  The plan, by Portsmouth City Council, is aimed primarily at cutting road traffic related air pollution.

The draft AQAP includes novel proposals like investigating car-sharing lanes and cheaper parking for less-polluting vehicles, as well as more familiar measures like encouraging cycling and reducing traffic jams.

The AQAP is in draft form at the moment and is being updating as result of the consultation process.

The review and assessment of local air quality by Portsmouth City Council has shown that emissions from traffic should be cut, particularly in 13 areas of the city where levels of nitrogen dioxide are above government guidelines. Nitrogen dioxide can affect the lungs and make symptoms worse for people with conditions like asthma.
The draft AQAP focused on:

• Improving the efficiency of heavy lorries
• Cutting emissions from buses
• Reducing the number of cars on the roads

There are 40 proposals in the draft AQAP and include:

• improving bus routes
• advising householders to fit condensing gas-fired boilers
• promoting energy saving
• easing other traffic bottlenecks such as Velder Avenue
• increasing public transport use
• investigating car-share lanes
• changing lorry routes
• encouraging drivers to switch off engines when stopped
• cheaper parking for less-polluting vehicles
• greener travel plans for schools and workplaces
• larger businesses charging employees for parking
• promoting cycling and walking
• less-polluting buses
• council leading the way with low-emission vehicles, car-sharing and workplace parking charge
• sat-navs to direct drivers away from pollution hotspots
• setting up a rail freight facility at Fratton
• supporting uptake of liquefied petroleum gas fuel

The final AQAP will be made available toon www.portair.co.uk

• Note: Feedback from residents helped to shape the draft AQAP report.

Associated documents: