National statistics indicate that emissions from transport continue to grow - increasing by four percent overall since 1990, including by six percent since 2013.
Road transport is the primary source of this increase. Whereas vehicles have become more fuel efficient this has been offset by increased travel demand.
These emissions are a key pollutant to the air that we breathe, causing major environmental and health issues. The negative impacts on the environment include the direct effects of pollutants on vegetation, and indirect effects on the acid and nutrients status of soils and ground and surface water.
In terms of health, in 2016 a landmark report published by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health suggested that ‘…every year in the UK, outdoor pollution is linked to around 40,000 deaths’ … and that ‘…air pollution can have a damaging effect from when a baby is in the womb and continue throughout life to older age, playing a role in many chronic conditions such as cancer, asthma, heart diseases and neurological changes linked to dementia’.
This report concluded that "Real change will only occur when everyone accepts this responsibility and makes a concerted effort."
As the Highway Authority, Wokingham Borough Council has a specific duty to bring forward measures to improve air quality.
Wokingham Borough Council has three declared Air Quality Management Areas but tackling the overall poor air quality across our Borough is the key objective.
There are significant opportunities for sustainable transport options to simultaneously support clean economic growth, increase physical activity, and reduce emissions contributing to local air pollution.
This Council commits to introduce a Low Emissions Transport Strategy that will sit under the Local Transport Plan and will include clearly stated objectives, SMART targets, strategies and tactics.
Minutes:
The Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Paul Fishwick and seconded by Sarah Kerr.
“National statistics indicate that emissions from transport continue to grow - increasing by four percent overall since 1990, including by six percent since 2013.
Road transport is the primary source of this increase. Whereas vehicles have become more fuel efficient this has been offset by increased travel demand.
These emissions are a key pollutant to the air that we breathe, causing major environmental and health issues. The negative impacts on the environment include the direct effects of pollutants on vegetation, and indirect effects on the acid and nutrients status of soils and ground and surface water.
In terms of health, in 2016 a landmark report published by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health suggested that ‘…every year in the UK, outdoor pollution is linked to around 40,000 deaths’ … and that ‘…air pollution can have a damaging effect from when a baby is in the womb and continue throughout life to older age, playing a role in many chronic conditions such as cancer, asthma, heart diseases and neurological changes linked to dementia’.
This report concluded that "Real change will only occur when everyone accepts this responsibility and makes a concerted effort."
As the Highway Authority, Wokingham Borough Council has a specific duty to bring forward measures to improve air quality.
Wokingham Borough Council has three declared Air Quality Management Areas but tackling the overall poor air quality across our Borough is the key objective.
There are significant opportunities for sustainable transport options to simultaneously support clean economic growth, increase physical activity, and reduce emissions contributing to local air pollution.
This Council commits to introduce a Low Emissions Transport Strategy that will sit under the Local Transport Plan and will include clearly stated objectives, SMART targets, strategies and tactics”.
It was moved by Gregor Murray and seconded by Pauline Jorgensen that the Motion be amended by deleting the words “Low Emissions Transport Strategy” in the final paragraph and inserting the words “Strategy to lower transport emissions”.
The amendment to the Motion was accepted by the proposer of the original Motion and, therefore, became the substantive Motion.
Upon being put to the vote, the amended (substantive) Motion was declared by the Mayor to be carried.
RESOLVED: National statistics indicate that emissions from transport continue to grow - increasing by four percent overall since 1990, including by six percent since 2013.
Road transport is the primary source of this increase. Whereas vehicles have become more fuel efficient this has been offset by increased travel demand.
These emissions are a key pollutant to the air that we breathe, causing major environmental and health issues. The negative impacts on the environment include the direct effects of pollutants on vegetation, and indirect effects on the acid and nutrients status of soils and ground and surface water.
In terms of health, in 2016 a landmark report published by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health suggested that ‘…every year in the UK, outdoor pollution is linked to around 40,000 deaths’ … and that ‘…air pollution can have a damaging effect from when a baby is in the womb and continue throughout life to older age, playing a role in many chronic conditions such as cancer, asthma, heart diseases and neurological changes linked to dementia’.
This report concluded that "Real change will only occur when everyone accepts this responsibility and makes a concerted effort."
As the Highway Authority, Wokingham Borough Council has a specific duty to bring forward measures to improve air quality.
Wokingham Borough Council has three declared Air Quality Management Areas but tackling the overall poor air quality across our Borough is the key objective.
There are significant opportunities for sustainable transport options to simultaneously support clean economic growth, increase physical activity, and reduce emissions contributing to local air pollution.
This Council commits to introduce a Strategy to lower transport emissions that will sit under the Local Transport Plan and will include clearly stated objectives, SMART targets, strategies and tactics”.