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Air quality

Air quality – did you know?

Air quality is the degree to which the air in a particular area is pollution-free. Poor air quality has a massive impact on everyone’s lives, public health, the economy and the environment.

Around 40,000 deaths a year in the UK are attributable to outdoor air pollution - which has been linked to cancer, asthma, stroke and heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and changes linked to dementia. The health problems resulting from exposure to air pollution cost the UK more than £20 billion every year (source: ‘Every breath we take – the lifelong impact of air pollution’ Royal College of Physicians, and of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2016)

Reducing speeds from 70mph to 50mph can reduce harmful nitrogen oxide emissions from car exhausts by up to 20 per cent, as well as improving road safety and journey time reliability

What are we doing in South Essex?


What is the problem?

The Government’s National Air Quality Plan identified a number of locations along the A127 in Essex were likely to be exceeding air quality thresholds for Nitrogen Dioxide. 

Further tests found that a section of the A127 between east and west Basildon, and parts of the business area to the south of it, has poor air quality that breaks national safe limits.


What are we doing?

To tackle this issue, Essex County Council and Basildon Borough Council are proposing to improve air quality along the A127, to the north of Basildon, by reducing the current limit speed limit from 70mph to 50mph. Air quality and traffic modelling indicate that the reduction in speed limit will reduce the NO2 to safe levels by 2021.

Essex County Council and Basildon Borough Council have been issued a Ministerial Directive by the Government to improve the air quality on the section of road as quickly as possible. The local authorities are working with Essex Highways on implementing the new speed limit in March 2020, which would be enforced with average speed enforcement cameras.

People who wish to comment on the proposed order have until 12 August to share their concerns, by writing to Essex County Council, quoting reference TRAF/7027. Comments can also be emailed or posted to TRO Comments, Network Assurance, A2 Annexe Seax House, County Hall, Victoria Road South, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1QH.

These are our plans for South Essex. For information regarding other areas of Essex, please visit www.essexair.org

A127 Speed Reduction area map 

 

Health impacts

Even short-term exposure to high levels of air pollution can cause a wide range of negative health effects – it can trigger asthma, affect lung function and increase hospital admissions, as well as mortality.

Air pollution is damaging to the health of all of us but particularly young children and those with heart and lung problems.

How can I make a change?

If feasible, leave the car at home and try cycling to work.

An hour long bike ride burns 500 calories - that’s the equivalent of five bags of crisps.

Economic impacts

The annual cost of air pollution to the UK is in the region of £20 billion.

Air pollution particularly threatens economic growth by impacting upon people of working age - if staff have to take days off work due to air pollution-related illnesses, the economy suffers.

Can your business help promote sustainable travel methods for your staff?

Inspire people, businesses and other employers to act by sharing your success.

Environmental impacts

Air pollution is responsible for significant damage to the natural environment.

NO2 contributes to the pollution of soil and watercourses, which impacts on animal and plant life as well as biodiversity.

NO2 also impacts upon local ozone production, which has public health impacts and damages agricultural crops, forests and plants.

Questions and Answers

Select a question to reveal/hide the answer:

Health impacts of air pollution

Why do you need to tackle local roadside air pollution? What’s the issue?


Why the A127?

Is this section of the A127 the only area where air quality is an issue?
How was this section of the A127 identified as having poor air quality?


Speed limit changes

Why are you introducing a speed limit change? What difference will it make?
When will the speed limits be introduced?
How will the speed limit be enforced?
What are you doing about the air quality exceedances to the south of the A127?


Changing travel behaviour

Essex County Council, as the Local Highway Authority, has a number of projects to help reduce pollution and encourage people to consider swapping some of their car journeys to cycling, walking or public transport, especially for short trips.

What can I do to help reduce roadside air quality in Essex?
I can’t swap some of my journeys. How can I drive in a more environmentally friendly way?

What else are the local authorities doing? 

 

Early Measures Funding


Electric vehicles 

We have received funding from Defra to install additional electric charging facilities across Basildon borough and Rochford district to support the uptake of electric vehicles. These new charging facilities are expected to be in place by summer 2019.

A further bid has been submitted to Defra for funding specifically to support the introduction of electric charging points at taxi ranks.


Cycling

We are currently planning to upgrade cycle facilities along Cranes Farm Road in Basildon thanks to funding from Defra. We expect this work will be completed by April 2019.


Buses

More than £1 million from Defra’s Clean Bus Technology Fund has been secured by Essex County Council, Rochford District Council and Colchester Borough Council to clean up emissions from buses along the A127 corridor, as well as in Colchester. 

Did you know? Car drivers are exposed to twice as much pollution as pedestrians and nine times more than a cyclist. Leaving your car at home for the day means you’ll be cutting down the amount of pollution you make, reducing the pollution you’re exposed to and getting some exercise too. 

Simple steps you can take now to improve your air quality

 

Walking  

Swap a short car journey for a walk instead.

Essex’s beautiful countryside, towns and villages have a great network of footpaths - check out our county’s public rights of way for a  walk in the great outdoors that’s close to home.

Tip: plan your route away from the busiest main roads to avoid the worst areas of poor air quality. 

Cycling

Employers can encourage staff to hop on a bike through the Government’s Cycle to work scheme.

The Essex Cycling strategy sets out a whole host of initiatives to encourage cycling including cycling routes and maps.

Cycling training is also available for all ages across the county.

Public Transport  

Find your nearest bus stop and plan your journey at Essexbus.info

Plan a trip using South Essex’s well connected trains into London or to Southend.

Do you qualify for a discount? There’s a number of schemes set up to help promote bus and train travel – find out more and see if you can save money. 

Driving

Consider car sharing for school runs, commutes and other journeys where possible.

Switch off your vehicle when standstill, at the school gates, in long traffic queues and while picking up or dropping off.

Grants are available to encourage people to buy electric vehicles.

Documents

A127 Air Quality Management Plan Engagement ReportPDF13/03/2019
Q&A - A127 Air QualityPDF22/07/2019