Issue - meetings

The Council considered an agenda motion from Councillor Richard Samuel, which was debated.

On a motion from Councillor Mark Shelford, seconded by Councillor Tony Clarke it was

RESOLVED unanimously

1.  To note that national air quality objectives for nitrogen dioxide are exceeded at several locations within Bath and North East Somerset, particularly along the A4, A36 and A37.  This pollution caused by vehicles needs to be reduced;

2.  To note the risks to human health posed by traffic pollution in Bath and North East Somerset are of serious concern and action is required to reduce the risk;

3.  To approach Central Government to seek to secure a Clean Air Zone for the city and other locations subject to excessive pollutants as part of the revised national air quality plan, so that suitable studies can be undertaken to bring forward concrete action plans to address air pollution;

4.  That, in the alternative, the Council shall commit current available funding as part of the 2018-19 budget and seek additional funding, possibly in partnership with the West of England Combined Authority, and any other sources to undertake a comprehensive study to inform a Clean Air Policy and Plan for Bath and North East Somerset.  Such studies would include comprehensive traffic censuses along the main traffic corridors to provide fully up to date data upon which to develop evidence based solutions to reduce traffic levels; and

5.  To commit to continuing to work through the West of England on a package of transport improvements such as Clean Air Zones, traffic management measures, bus and rail improvements and key infrastructure projects identified within the Joint Transport Study that could make a particular contribution to reducing traffic and improving air quality on transport corridors where air quality is known to be subject to excessive pollutants.

[Notes;

1.  At the commencement of this item, a motion to suspend constitutional rule 4a, 48 to continue the meeting until 10.10pm was moved by Councillor Tim Warren, seconded by Councillor Dine Romero and unanimously approved.

2.  Points 1 – 4 of the resolution above formed the original motion from Cllr Richard Samuel, which was subsequently amended with the addition of point 5 and carried with 29 Councillors voting in favour, 24 Councillors voting against and 2 abstentions.

3.  Councillor John Bull requested the removal of words “such as the A36-A46/A4 link road” which had formed part of Councillor Mark Shelford’s amendment.  Their removal was accepted by the mover and seconder of the substantive motion.]