The Cabinet Member for Environment introduced the report which sought to update Members on the Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) in Swale.  He referred to the maps on page 101 of the report which showed the data from nitrogen dioxide tubes at Keycol Hill and Key Street on page 102, which concluded that an AQMA should be declared at Keycol Hill.  He advised that Key Street would continue to be monitored.

Referring to the map of St. Pauls, Sittingbourne on page 104 of the report, the Cabinet Member for Environment explained that this was the only area where there was an exceedance of particulates fairly regularly but at irregular times of the day, and he said further investigations to establish the cause was on-going.

A Member referred to paragraph 2.1 on page 95 of the report and asked what progress had been made in considering the entire A2 a low-emission zone?  In response, the Cabinet Member for Environment advised that consultants had been engaged to conduct a feasibility study into a clean air zone on the A2.

In response to a question from the Cabinet Member for Economy and Property on whether the particulates at St. Paul’s were industrial or caused by traffic, the Cabinet Member for Environment explained that monitoring had continued through lockdown and there had still been spikes of particulates but a reduction in nitrogen dioxide.  A Member suggested the nearby Waste Disposal/Recycling Plant might have an impact.

Resolved:

(1)  That a new Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) at Keycol Hill for nitrogen dioxide be declared.

(2)  That the AQMA for particulates at the existing AQMA at St. Paul’s Street, Sittingbourne be declared.

(3)  That the declaration of the AQMAs using Defra’s Fast Track procedure, proceed.